$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake coupon and discount code phishing scam
Scammers distribute fake coupons or discount codes through email, social media, and websites to harvest personal information or install malware.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsBargain hunters
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionGlobal
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$120
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $1.2K
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create realistic-looking coupon pages or emails impersonating major retailers
2
Victims click through and are asked to provide personal information or payment details to activate the coupon
3
The information is harvested for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces
What to do first
Verify coupons directly on the retailer's official website or app before using them
Related terms
fake discount code scamcoupon phishingpromo code harvestingOnline shopping scamsEmailSurgingBargain huntersOnline shoppersCoupon usersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsGlobalfake discount code scamcoupon phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Paul, 35, a bargain hunters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Email. Scammers create realistic-looking coupon pages or emails impersonating major retailers
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims click through and are asked to provide personal information or payment details to activate the coupon
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The information is harvested for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces
The outcome
Paul realized something was wrong when coupon requires you to enter credit card or social security information to redeem. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify coupons directly on the retailer's official website or app before using them Paul's experience shows why coupon requires you to enter credit card or social security information to redeem and offer is shared through unofficial channels and not on the retailer's own website are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Coupon requires you to enter credit card or Social Security information to redeem
- Offer is shared through unofficial channels and not on the retailer's own website
- Clicking the coupon link redirects to a site with a different domain than the retailer
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify coupons directly on the retailer's official website or app before using them
- ✓Never enter sensitive personal information to redeem a coupon or discount code
- ✓Report fake coupon sites to the retailer and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Anti-Phishing Working Group recorded over 4.7 million phishing attacks in 2024, with retail and e-commerce among the top targeted sectors
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify coupons directly on the retailer's official website or app before using them
- ✓Never enter sensitive personal information to redeem a coupon or discount code
- ✓Report fake coupon sites to the retailer and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Anti-Phishing Working Group recorded over 4.7 million phishing attacks in 2024, with retail and e-commerce among the top targeted sectors
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Bargain hunters, Online shoppers, Coupon users
Geographic concentration
Global
Primary channel
Email — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Bargain hunters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Anti-Phishing Working Group recorded over 4.7 million phishing attacks in 2024, with retail and e-commerce among the top targeted sectors
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake coupon and discount code phishing scam
How does the fake coupon and discount code phishing scam work?+
Scammers create realistic-looking coupon pages or emails impersonating major retailers Victims click through and are asked to provide personal information or payment details to activate the coupon The information is harvested for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces
What are the warning signs of fake coupon and discount code phishing scam?+
Coupon requires you to enter credit card or Social Security information to redeem Offer is shared through unofficial channels and not on the retailer's own website Clicking the coupon link redirects to a site with a different domain than the retailer
What should I do if I encounter fake coupon and discount code phishing scam?+
Verify coupons directly on the retailer's official website or app before using them Never enter sensitive personal information to redeem a coupon or discount code Report fake coupon sites to the retailer and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
Who is most at risk for fake coupon and discount code phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Bargain hunters, Online shoppers, Coupon users. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Email.
Is fake coupon and discount code phishing scam getting worse?+
fake coupon and discount code phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.