Coupon Coding.

Consumer_Queen · **Posted:** 29 Nov 2007 14:51

I recently found out that someone else teaching coupon classes was Teaching Coupon Coding.

What is coupon coding?

Coupon coding for instance is taking a coupon for $1 off Laundry detergent and using on a bar of soap or lotion by the same company just because it scans. This IS Coupon Fraud!!!! I will be adding a letter from Proctor and Gamble that will back this up later. That is taking advantage of the manufacturer.

Becareful what you do and who you take classes from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can go to http://www.cents-off.com/I had a long talk with Bud Miller today ahead of the Coupon Information center that works with 70% off the manufactureres. You can also see some fraud cases on the website to. Very Intresting.You can be sent to jail on Theft by Deception which is basically like stealing.

here is some possible consequences for coupon fraud...which goes to show if in doubt...don't even attempt it! We are talking REAL prison time!

http://www.cents-off.com/faq.htm#7 :

What are the penalties for coupon fraud?
Penalties for those convicted of coupon fraud related crimes vary by each case and the number of laws violated.
As of this date,
Longest prison sentence: 17 years
Highest financial penalty: $5 million
Prison sentences of three to five years are not uncommon. Financial penalties generally vary, but have often been in excess of $200,000.

What are the chances of conviction?
Each case is unique and defendants must be considered innocent until proven guilty.
However ...
Not one defendant has been acquitted in a CIC related coupon fraud case since operations began in 1986.

fraud
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin fraud- fraus
1 a : any act, expression, omission, or concealment calculated to deceive another to his or her disadvantage; specifically : a misrepresentation or concealment with reference to some fact material to a transaction that is made with knowledge of its falsity or in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity and with the intent to deceive another and that is reasonably relied on by the other who is injured thereby b : the affirmative defense of having acted in response to a fraud
2 : the crime or tort of committing fraud <convicted of securities fraud> —see also MISREPRESENTATION
NOTE: A tort action based on fraud is also referred to as an action of deceit.

American Psychological Association (APA):
fraud. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fraud
Chicago Manual Style (CMS):
fraud. Dictionary.com. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ ... 0(accessed: January 15, 2008).
Modern Language Association (MLA):
"fraud." Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 15 Jan. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fraud.

this in the Oklahoma Statutes under tort, and technically, and probably legally, it coupon fraud could fall under it....

§76 1. Rights of others must be respected.
Every person is bound, without contract, to abstain from injuring the person or property of another, or infringing upon any of his rights.
R.L. 1910, § 992.

§76 2. Damages for deceit.
One who willfully deceives another, with intent to induce him to alter his position to his injury or risk, is liable for any damage which he thereby suffers.
R.L. 1910, § 993.

§76 3. Deceits defined and classed.
A deceit, within the meaning of the last section is either:
1. The suggestion, as a fact, of that which is not true by one who does not believe it to be true.
2. The assertion, as a fact, of that which is not true, by one who has no reasonable ground for believing it to be true.
3. The suppression of a fact by one who is bound to disclose it, or who gives information of other facts which are likely to mislead for want of communication of that fact; or,
4. A promise, made without any intention of performing.

The terms and conditions of coupon offers are printed on the coupon in the local language (usually English or Spanish in the United States). This language clearly sets forth the offer and the intent of the manufacturer; it overrides any technical “glitch” in the bar code. For example, a coupon for $3 off a One Pound box of Product X can only be used towards the purchase of the One Pound box of Product X. The text of the offer controls. In this example, consumers would correctly object if the text on the coupon for Product X stated $3.00, but the barcode only scanned at $2.00.

Bar codes are merely a tool used to help process the coupon. Indeed, some of your Members may recall using coupons that didn’t even have bar codes in years past. While mistakes happen, no honest person would attempt to fool a cashier into accepting a coupon for a different product than the one listed on the coupon itself. This basic principle of simple honesty shouldn’t change just because technical mistakes may open the system to exploitation from time to time. Individuals using coupons to steal through the abuse of bar codes or counterfeiting, and those who aid and abet these criminal activities, may be subject to both criminal and civil prosecution

We hope this information is helpful. We believe that most people are honest and will act in honorable ways when they know the facts. The CIC is dedicated to preserving the availability of coupons to consumers by protecting the integrity of these valuable promotions. Individuals aware of criminal activities involving coupons are urged to contact law enforcement authorities or the Coupon Information Center.

just got off the phone with the oklahoma city police dept. They tell me that this is:

Ubtaining by False Pretence and punishable by Law.

Wanted to let everyone know what I found out. I had also left a message with the Attorney Generals office and waiting for a call back from them as well

raezer · **Joined:** 15 Oct 2007 17:26 **Posts:** 2

I totally understand that and I don't do that kind of thing. But why is it not coded better then? Isn't there a way for the company though coding keep from this from happening?...I assume the answer is no or it already be done but right now I guess I don't understand the whole concept of how coupon works....aka haven't been to one of the coupon coding classes lol

Karen_Perea · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2007 10:36

If you were a company (say Proctor and Gamble) that made millions of type of products, you would have to have a seperate computer program to do each coupon instead of just one. The cost of implementing a tracking system for each code would then be passed on to us (the consumer) who would then have to pay a higher price for our products. That in turn would make us more likely to purchase a competitiors product. Thus the company (Proctor and Gamble) would spend the money to protect themselves and then lose customers by having to make up the cost with higher prices and thus losing customers. It is a vicious circle. They can never really win, so it is up to us to make sure we and the people we know are being honest or else the companies that are getting taken advantage of may decide to just stop making coupons! We do not really want to take advantage of them because eventually they will have had anough and just stop the good coupons and that would HURT!

Consumer_Queen · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2007 10:39

thanks karen couldnt have said it better myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen_Perea · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2007 10:40

I try...LOL!

raezer · **Joined:** 15 Oct 2007 17:26 **Posts:** 2

Thanks for the explanation. I knew there must of been a reason why it wasn't set up different. I do hate that people abuse the system. Not only does it affect us using coupons but I notice how it affects how all of us "coupon" people are treated. I get soo tired to thrown in with the people that abuse the system and treated like a bank robber or something when I'm just trying to get a deal that is perfectly legal(the whole BOGO in store sale and BOGO MQ coupon deals always give me trouble at stores)

crystal · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2007 00:39

Not only is it wrong, but where in the world are people even getting away with this?! Whenever I use coupons, the cashier looks at every one to be sure that I purchased that exact product!

Karen_Perea · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2007 10:27

Me too! Sometime I think it would be easier to pass off counterfit money than a real coupon. Some cashiers seem to have their priorities wrong. I can pay with a big bill ($100 or $50) and they don't check it but Gosh forbid I take a FREE product coupon from the manufacturer that has a holographic foil seal on it etc and they examine it like I am trying to get away with something!

Karen_Perea · **Posted:** 15 Jan 2008 10:14

Just a word of warning. I went to a coupon class last night that taught coupon coding (with handouts!!) so if I catch anyone posting it here I will delete your post! I know a lot of the tricks now!! <<insert evil laugh here>> Please keep in mind this is an honest board and keep it that way. I just wanted to give fair warning. :twisted:

dsnylvr97 · **Posted:** 15 Jan 2008 10:52

Thank you, Karen! I LOVE this board!

Frugal Fraulein · **Posted:** 15 Jan 2008 11:08

Thanks Karen!!

Consumer_Queen · **Posted:** 15 Jan 2008 16:25

Karen I am getting pretty far with this complaint will let you know what happens!!!!!! WOO HOO

Karen_Perea · **Posted:** 16 Jan 2008 11:21

I could not make you copies yesterday but I will do my best to get them made today.

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