Shopping online is fun—until you get to checkout and the
coupon code you found online doesn’t work. We’ve all been there. You spend time
searching for a discount, copy and paste it into the promo code box, and…
nothing. No discount. No savings. Just frustration.
The truth is, not all coupon codes are real. Many fake or
expired codes are floating around the internet, wasting your time and sometimes
even trying to trick you into giving away personal details. But how do you spot
the difference between fake and real coupon codes quickly? Let’s break it down
in a simple way so you can save money without the headache.
1. Check the Source of the Coupon
The easiest way to avoid fake codes is to stick to trusted
coupon websites or the brand’s official site. If you find a code on a
random social media post, an unknown blog, or a shady pop-up ad, there’s a good
chance it’s fake or expired. Reliable coupon sites usually keep their codes up
to date and mark expiration dates.
2. Look for Expiration Dates
Real coupon codes almost always have a clear expiration
date. Fake ones often don’t mention when they expire—because they were never
valid in the first place. If you can’t see when the code ends, it’s worth
double-checking before getting your hopes up.
3. Beware of "Too Good to Be True" Discounts
If you see a code offering 90% off a brand-new
product or free items without any purchase requirement, be cautious. While big
discounts happen during sales, unrealistic offers are a major red flag. Real
brands still need to make money, so extreme discounts are rare and usually
time-limited.
4. Test the Code Before Shopping
Instead of adding items to your cart and getting
disappointed later, try testing the coupon code on a small, inexpensive item
first. This way, you can quickly check if it works without wasting too much
time.
5. Watch Out for Personal Information Requests
Real coupon codes don’t require you to fill out long forms
with your address, credit card number, or other sensitive details just to
“unlock” the discount. If a site asks for more than your email for a promo
code, it’s a big sign you might be dealing with a scam.
6. Pay Attention to the Format of the Code
Many brands follow a certain style for their codes—like
combining words and numbers (e.g., SAVE20, WELCOME10). If a code looks strange,
full of random symbols, or extremely long, it could be fake.
7. Check Customer Reviews
Before trusting a coupon from a new website, look for
reviews. If other shoppers are saying the codes don’t work or they were tricked
into something, that’s your answer—stay away.
8. Use a Trusted Coupon Platform
To save yourself the trouble of sorting through fake codes,
bookmark a trusted coupon site. Reliable platforms test and verify their codes,
so you can skip the frustration and go straight to saving money.
Final Thoughts
The internet is full of fake coupon codes, but with a little
awareness, you can easily tell the difference and avoid wasting time. Stick to
reliable sources, double-check expiration dates, and don’t fall for unrealistic
offers. If you want a safe and quick way to find real, working discounts from
top brands, check out Filter
Discounts—where you’ll always find verified deals you can trust.
