I created this page after I had finished preparing a post for a free tube of flea and tick control for pets.  When linking to online coupons, I always check to make sure they are from a valid source.  This one for free flea and tick control appeared to be a scan of a legitimate coupon.  I deleted the post because:

• Scanning and photocopying coupons is fraud.
• It is illegal.
• It is immoral.
• It gives couponers a bad reputation and makes using legitimate coupons harder for those of us who do use them correctly.
• I will never knowingly pass these along to you.  So my post was deleted and I decided to discuss couponing ethics instead.

How to spot a fraudulent coupon:

• Scanning and photocopying coupons is not legal.  You must use the original.
• There is no expiration date.  Legitimate coupons have expiration dates.
• The coupon directs you to look at text on the back of the coupon and it is either blank (indicating a copied coupon), or a downloaded coupon from the internet (indicating a scanned coupon).
• Online coupons in pdf format are suspect.  Legitimate coupons are usually not distributed in this format.  Investigate its source.  Who sent it to you?  Are they trustworthy?

How to spot a legitimate coupon:

• Coupons from the internet most often come from respected sources:  redplum.com, coupons.com, smartsource.com, your store’s web site:  Target, Walgreens.
• Internet coupons usually have a security code on them.  You are usually required to download coupon printing software so the company can verify you are legitimate.
• Expiration dates are on all legitimate coupons.
• Your coupon came from the weekend paper, or magazine, mailed to you by the manufacturer, or found on a tearpad at the store.  It is the original coupon, not a copy.

If your store refuses to accept what you think is a legitimate coupon, go to the service desk.   If that doesn’t work, ask to speak directly to the store manager. Tell them you may take your business elsewhere.   Many couponers print off the coupon policy for each store where they plan to shop.  Often, store clerks are not always up on the recent coupon policies and this could help you get the proper credit if denied using a legitimate discount.

I hope this overview has been helpful.  As always, I welcome your comments.  Please share with my any information I may have missed.