3 arrests made in fraudulent coupon ring

source: Help Make My Film

Finally!  The arrests that so many of us in couponing have been looking and hoping for.   How many of us have suspected this coupon fraud being done while we watched this being bragged about on a certain couponing show and are in awe of how these people get away with this in public!

Now the Phoenix police say they have seized more than $25 million worth of fake coupons and $2 million in other assets from the homes of three women linked to a widespread counterfeiting and forgery operation.

Officer James Holmes said officers served several warrants Tuesday morning at the Phoenix-area residences, and 40-year-old Robin Ramirez, 42-year-old Amiko Fountain and 54-year-old Marilyn Johnson were arrested after an eight-week investigation.

"We used undercover and covert operations to make purchases and to identify the three suspects," Holmes said.

Read the rest of the article HERE. Video found HERE.

The next photo is going to show a REAL coupon (on the top of the image) vs. a FAKE coupon (on the bottom of the image).

A counterfeit coupon for a free bag of Doritos chips up to $5 is still circulating, primarily through e-mail. It was not created, authorized or distributed by Frito-Lay. Frito-Lay says, "We have notified retailer customers of this fraud and are working with authorities to identify the source of the fraudulent coupon. You should not knowingly use a counterfeit coupon. We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and confusion this has caused. Please watch for valid coupons and sales in stores, magazines, Sunday newspaper ads, and on our credible websites."

So you ask, what is the difference between the two and how can I make sure that I have a REAL one?  Read all about real coupons, fake coupons, how to know the difference, how to keep from being taken in by fake ones and more information about appropriate couponing HERE, at the Coupon Information Corporation.  Follow them on TWITTER.

One thing that you as a fellow couponer may or may not know, is that you CANNOT buy coupons. It is illegal.  When I first started couponing and was using a major couponing website I was encouraged to buy coupons and told where to buy them and to this day, it is still posted there.  I refuse to have anything to do with this group or their activities online.