Prominent deal blogger Jill Cataldo is leading the charges of coupon fraud, with a series of screenshots on the suspicious coupons, many of which appear to be on the Coupon Information Center's coupon fraud list.
Cataldo points out that Cole Ledford, a teenage couponer who appeared on last night's show, was featured using several Try Me Free Hefty coupons that were discovered to be counterfeit as far back as March 15, 2012.
Look at the screenshots here.
Check out the CIC's counterfeit coupon image here.
Allegations have also surfaced on the TLC Extreme Couponing Facebook page that another couponer used $5 off Lysol Healthy Touch coupons to purchase canisters of Clorox wipes for free, and that a third participant applied coupons for $5 off Del Monte fresh produce to canned vegetables.
Here's my personal take on the Extreme Couponing scandal, as both a long-time couponer and a blogger. It was one thing to see the show portray couponers as hoarders or crazy people, as the first two seasons often did.
That's good TV, no doubt about it.
And although it stung a little bit when the Washington Post called participants -- and by implication, couponers in general -- "piggy stockpilers", it was also pretty easy to laugh off as well.
But to have TLC repeatedly showing instances of coupon fraud and abuse, after months of feedback from reputable sources like Cataldo and the CIC, is just plain irresponsible.
Coupon fraud damages the relationship between manufacturer, store, and shopper. It swindles companies out of untold amounts of money -- to the point that a $100,000 reward was offered this year to help crack down on counterfeiting.
It makes stores leery of even the most basic coupon transactions -- no cashier wants to lose their job over a cash discrepancy because they accepted a fake coupon.
And it makes life very, very difficult for the tens of thousands of honest couponers trying to play by the rules and still save money for their families.
So how can couponers fight back? I suggest a couple of tactics.
- First, if you buy coupons from eBay, stop. The vast majority of counterfeit coupons that make it out onto the open market are being distributed in forums like eBay and Craigslist. And even though you might not mean to buy and use counterfeit coupons, that won't protect you from shoplifting or theft charges if you accidentally trust the wrong seller.
- Secondly, learn how to verify your coupons. The CIC has a quick app that you can check any printable coupon to make sure it's legit. And be sure you know how to spot the 3 most common mistakes on a fake coupon.
- Finally, it might be time to stop watching Extreme Couponing -- and let TLC know why. The producers of the show will have no incentive to change unless we hit them where it hurts, which is the same way so many couponers feel the show has treated them.
Your turn
What did you think about the Extreme Couponing season premiere last night? How will it change your experiences in the grocery stores in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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