DevilCoupons.com is a fraudulent website that lures unsuspecting victims with promises of free coupons, gift cards, game codes, and other irresistible offers. But behind the appealing facade lies an elaborate scam designed to dupe users and steal their money. This in-depth article will reveal how the DevilCoupons.com scam works, provide tips on avoiding it, and explain what to do if you’ve fallen prey.
Overview of the DevilCoupons.com Scam
DevilCoupons.com operates by presenting enticing deals from major brands that seem too good to pass up. The website showcases coupons for free games, gift cards, subscriptions, ride credits, and huge discounts at popular retailers.
At first glance, it appears completely legitimate, with hundreds of coupons across all product categories. However, every single offer is an outright scam intended to victimize visitors.
The coupons don’t actually provide any real savings or freebies. Instead, they are a gateway to surveys, sketchy downloads, paid subscriptions, and other ploys to steal money.
This bait-and-switch tactic is known as an affiliate marketing scam. By getting users to click on links under false pretenses, the site owners generate commissions from advertisers who pay for the referral traffic.
DevilCoupons.com employs various unethical techniques to improve conversions:
- Fake scarcity with ‘limited quantity’ claims
- High-pressure tactics urging users to act now
- Malicious ads and pop-ups with fake ‘download’ buttons
- Spam emails and social media posts to attract victims
In total, DevilCoupons.com exhibits all the hallmarks of an egregious internet scam designed to deceive consumers and profit from their misfortune.
How the DevilCoupons.com Scam Works
The operators of DevilCoupons.com use clever psychological tricks and web design to misdirect their victims at every stage:
1. Luring Victims In
The initial lure is the promise of unbelievable coupons from the most popular brands. The website copy entices visitors with claims like “Verified coupons site wide” and “Free $100 discount code.”
To boost perceived credibility, they list major companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and BestBuy as sources of the coupons. In reality, these retailers have no partnership with the website.
2. Fraudulent Claims
Every coupon shown follows the same formula: an eye-catching header with the offer, a brief description, and a countdown timer or limited quantity claim to create urgency.
Examples include “$100 Off Apple Sitewide,” “1 Month Free Disney+ Coupon,” and “Elden Ring Game Code.” The coupons target in-demand products to further build excitement.
In every case, the coupons are complete fiction. But the website conceals this fact using more fakery.
3. Fake Social Proof
Below each offer is a counter labeled “Left” or “Uses today” to make it seem like others are grabbing the deal. In truth, the numbers are randomly generated to fabricate engagement.
User testimonials praising the coupons are also fabricated. All social proof elements aim to manipulate visitors into thinking the offers are legitimate.4.
4. Malicious Advertising
Those who try clicking a coupon encounter a barrage of sketchy pop-ups, ads, and redirects. Misleading download buttons will attempt to install bloatware, browser extensions, or other unwanted programs.
These malicious ads generate pay-per-click revenue while exposing users to security risks. They also aim to trick users into signing up for expensive recurring subscriptions.
5. Affiliate Offers & Scams
After passing through several misleading intermediary pages, users finally land on an offer page promising what the original coupon advertised.
But it’s just another scam funnel demanding payments, subscriptions, or personal information to receive the non-existent reward.
These downstream scams include:
- Paid monthly subscriptions with impossible cancellation policies
- Expensive text message services charging recurring fees
- Personal info harvesting under the guise of a ‘prize claim’
- Junky software bundles loaded with viruses and spyware
Each conversion generates more illicit profits through affiliate commissions. In the end, victims get swindled with no way to claim the original offer.
Avoiding the DevilCoupons.com Scam
The best way to avoid the DevilCoupons.com trap is to be wary of the following telltale signs:
Too Good to Be True Offers
Be skeptical of coupons and discounts that seem unrealistic or absolutely free. If it looks too good to be true, it almost always is.
High-Pressure Tactics
Don’t trust claims of expiring offers or limited quantities. This false scarcity is meant to bypass critical thinking.
Fake Reviews and Testimonials
Assume all positive reviews on coupon sites are fabricated, as real users would expose the scam.
Redirects and Pop-ups
Exit immediately if clicking a coupon triggers redirects, new tabs, or pop-up windows. Legitimate sites won’t bombard you with advertisements.
Research the Root Domain
Investigate the original website by searching “[sitename] scam” or “[sitename] reviews”. You’ll likely find complaints confirming the fraudulent nature of the site.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, close the page. Don’t let excitement over a deal overwhelm your common sense.
Reputable brands offer coupons directly through safe channels like email newsletters and apps. Seek those out instead of unfamiliar third-party coupon sites of dubious intent.
What to Do if You’re Scammed
If you provided sensitive information or lost money to DevilCoupons.com, take these steps to limit the damage:
1. Call Your Bank
If you shared financial information, notify your bank immediately to block any unauthorized charges. Report stolen payment card details and dispute recent suspicious transactions.
2. Change Passwords
If you gave your login credentials for another site, change your password right away. Assume the scam operators will exploit shared emails and passwords.
3. Cancel Subscriptions
Check your recent charges for hidden subscriptions. Call the merchant to have recurring billings stopped and issue refunds if able. Disconnect any linked payment methods.
4. Scan Your Device
Download and install Malwarebytes to check for viruses or other unwanted programs that may have been installed from pop-up ads. Also clear browsing data like cookies.
5. Place Fraud Alert
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. This signals creditors to verify your identity before issuing new lines of credit to combat identity theft risks.
5. Report the Scam
File formal complaints with the FTC, state attorneys general, and the domain registrar used by the scam website. Provide details to have the site investigated and shut down.
6. Warn Others
Share your experience on social media and consumer complaint boards. Spreading awareness helps prevent others from falling for the coupon scam.
Frequently Asked Questions about the DevilCoupons.com Scam
Consumers targeted by the DevilCoupons.com scam often have similar questions. This FAQ provides detailed answers to the most common inquiries.
What is the DevilCoupons.com scam?
DevilCoupons.com is a fraudulent website promoting fake coupons and discounts to lure visitors. The coupons lead to various scams that can cause financial loss or identity theft. It is an affiliate marketing scam.
How does the DevilCoupons.com coupon scam work?
The site entices visitors with unbelievable coupons from major retailers. All coupons are fake but appear credible. When users click a coupon, they encounter redirects, sketchy pop-ups, and land on an offer page with another scam. Affiliate commissions are generated on conversions.
What happens when you click on a DevilCoupons.com coupon?
Clicking a coupon initiates a barrage of pop-up ads and redirects to other websites. Victims may be tricked into downloading malware, signing up for subscriptions, or providing personal information under false pretenses.
Are the coupons and discounts on DevilCoupons.com real?
No. DevilCoupons.com fabricates all coupons promoted on the site. No real savings or freebies can be obtained. All offers are scams intended to profit from victims.
Does DevilCoupons.com really offer coupons for Amazon, Walmart, etc?
No. Major retailers have no partnership with DevilCoupons.com. The site only claims a relationship with these brands to appear more legitimate and fool victims.
Why does DevilCoupons.com show limited quantities and countdowns?
These artificial scarcity tactics prey on a psychological desire to not miss out. The claims of expiring offers or limited coupons aim to bypass critical thinking and get users to click coupons immediately.
Are the reviews and testimonials on DevilCoupons.com real?
No. All reviews praising the coupons are completely fabricated. They serve as false social proof to manipulate visitors into believing the coupons are real.
Is DevilCoupons.com free to use?
No. While the site claims to offer free coupons, it is actually a gateway to numerous scams designed to generate illicit profits. Users will lose money through unwanted paid subscriptions, texting fees, and other charges.
How can I avoid the DevilCoupons.com coupon scam?
Avoid coupons that seem unrealistic. Research unfamiliar sites for reviews revealing scams. Don’t trust countdowns or limited quantity claims. Avoid sites with pop-ups and redirects. Trust your instincts and don’t override skepticism just for a deal.
What should I do if DevilCoupons.com scammed me?
If you lost money, report it to your bank and dispute charges. Change compromised passwords. Cancel any subscriptions. Scan devices for malware. File complaints to shut down the site. And warn others about the scam.
The Bottom Line
DevilCoupons.com exemplifies the dark side of online couponing. Behind the façade of unbelievable savings lies a meticulously crafted scam exploiting human psychology and vulnerabilities.
Lured by the promise of valuable coupons from trusted brands, many consumers overlook the obvious red flags. Once hooked, victims get trapped in a maze of deceit funneling them to high-pressure advertising, bait-and-switch tactics, and affiliate scams.
Avoid falling into this trap by exercising caution when evaluating coupon offers that seem too good to be true. Seeking such deals only through secure channels, not unknown third-party websites, can protect against scams. If you do get caught by a scam like DevilCoupons.com, take action quickly to limit financial and security risks.
By exposing the deceptive inner workings of the DevilCoupons.com operation, consumers can recognize this predatory scam and steer clear of it entirely. Stay vigilant in your deal hunting and don’t let alluring offers override your common sense online.
