There is a coupon circulating the internet for a FREE bag of Doritos...in fact it has been forwarded to me by one of my friends. However, it is a fraudulent coupon that someone created and it is not authorized by Frito-Lay (the company that makes Doritos).
What Does That Mean?
Basically, it means that if you use this coupon at a retailer, the retailer will NOT be paid for the value of the Doritos that you purchased. They will lose money, since they accepted a fraudulent coupon. AND...sometimes if they lose enough money, they will tighten their coupon policies to make it difficult to redeem legitimate free coupons.
I have already run into a problem at my local Kroger while trying to redeem a real coupon for a FREE chocolate milk. They would not accept my coupon, since it was an internet printed freebie.
How to Tell if It's a Fake Coupon?
Once I heard about the coupon, I was immediately suspicious that it could be legitimate. Most companies have become savvy to the "viral" impact of the internet, and very rarely release coupons as a PDF file that can be printed as many times as the user wants. In fact, I am VERY wary of PDF files and rarely post them, because I tend to err on the side of caution. I will post them only if I can find a link to it from a companies website.
In my experience, most coupons for freebies are found on a restrictive coupon site like Coupons.com, Red Plum, or as a Bricks coupon where you have a limited number of prints (usually 2 per computer). I have found that many companies are also letting you register for a FREE coupon online, but then they mail it to you, so they can have extra security features included in the coupon.
If you aren't sure, try searching the internet or checking out Snopes. It's better for everyone if we only use legitimate coupons. If you have already used this coupon...I'm sure you didn't know. But, now you do :-).
Jen
Thank you for posting this! I think grocery stores are getting more suspect. I used some coupon.com coupons today and the casher had to call the manager over to double check them. This was the first time I was ever questioned about my coupons for fraud. I would never knowingly use a fraudulent coupons so it is nice that someone like you is looking out for us!
Nichole
I have many problems @ Walmart with internet coupons. They will not accept any internet coupon with a Once Fawcett Dr address because they say they are fraudulent..does anyone know about this? I print from coupons.com all the time and 1/2 the coupons have that address!
Nichole
oops...that should read One Fawcett Dr, not once! 🙂
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma
I had not heard that before, Nichole (and I don't shop Walmart much), but I did a quick internet search, and it appears that you are not the only one that has happened to.
I wonder if anyone else knows anymore.
Kim @ What's That Smell?
I received an email today with the pdf attached and 12 coupons printed on it.
It's true that stuff like this makes it harder to redeem legit coupons. I received some free coupons for frozen pizza direct from the manufacturer and tried to redeem them today. I seriously was treated like a criminal while they examined and evaluated my coupon.
Kathy Rozema
I live in Wisconsin, and the Copps and Pick 'N' Save chains have a policy that they do not accept internet coupons of any sort due to fraud and other items. My dad actually sent me the PDF for the above Doritos coupon, and I made a point of sending this site back to everyone that he sent the file to. I have learned that you don't get something for nothing, so I was a bit suspicious when I got it, also. Thanks for your site and good information to pass along!
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma
Thanks, Kathy!