Another big discount coupon is going viral, and this time it involves Kroger supermarkets.
Thousands of people are sharing a Facebook post that claims you can get $60 off your entire grocery order if spend $70, and share the with your Facebook friends, and post a comment.
Unfortunately, this is just the latest "like farming" scam to get your Facebook information and contacts.
The coupon is fraudulent, and Kroger will not honor it.
Fake Coupons Showing up Everywhere
The phony Kroger coupon follows two similar coupon "like farming" scams: one promising 50% off your Kohl's shopping trip, another promising 50% off at Target.
This past summer, we spoke with shoppers the last time a phony Kroger coupon went viral. In that case it was for $100 in free groceries.
Karen Sowards said "all my friends have shared it. And some of them are saying great big thanks on top of it," she said.
But customers who examined the coupon closely got suspicious. It has a lot of fine print and requirements.
Steven Frost said "I'd be skeptical of it, naturally skeptical."
Smart thing. It turns out the coupon is fraudulent, and worse, may contain malware that can infect your PC, according to security experts.
Kroger Reacts
Kroger has been warning shoppers all year about these fake coupons.
Attention Kroger Customers: There is currently an unauthorized “Get Free Groceries” offer circulating on Facebook. This giveaway is not affiliated with or supported by the Kroger Co. We recommend not engaging with the site that the offer links to, or providing any personal information. Our team is actively working with Facebook as well as the domain service provider to address the concern.
Many Stores Targeted
In May, Lowe’s home improvement customers were scammed by a similar false offer that also was spread over Facebook. In this case, users were asked to share a Facebook post that included the Lowe’s logo, then comment on the original post.
The non-profit Coupon Information Corporation , a retail fraud awareness group, keeps a running database of known fraudulent coupons on its website.
The C.I.C says:
- Be suspicious of all coupons for free items.
- Never buy coupons: many are fake.
- Be wary of any coupon shared on Facebook.
As always, don't waste your money.
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Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.
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