The promise of easily accessible coupon codes for major retailers and popular services seems highly appealing. But supposed coupon code offers blasted online by scammers usually turn out to be thinly-veiled ruses for stealing personal information and cash. One current scam making the rounds dangles coupons for brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and YouTube as bait to trick victims. Using well-known logos without permission, the ZestCoupons.com website falsely claims all you have to do is click a link and complete some basic offers to receive real, working promotional codes. However, it’s just a facade for funneling victims into shady websites, subscription traps, and malware downloads.
The ZestCoupons.com website displays the logos of many top brands prominently and tempts victims with promises of discount codes for:
Amazon – $750 coupon code
Starbucks – Free promo code
YouTube Premium – 100% off coupon
Microsoft Office – Free coupon
Planet Fitness – $100 off code
and more. However, these companies are not actually offering exclusive coupon codes via this site. And jumping through the steps to “reveal” the codes does not generate any real, working promotional offers. The promises are completely bogus.
In reality, clicking on the coupon links and completing the required “offers” sends victims through an affiliate funnel aimed at collecting personal data and signing people up for useless paid subscriptions or dubious downloads.
This scam takes advantage of brand recognition and the appeal of getting something for free to trick people. But the website has no actual association with the companies it claims to provide codes for.
How the ZestCoupons.com Scam Works
Here is a walkthrough of what happens when you click on ZestCoupons.com:
1. Scam Ads and Emails Drive Traffic to the Site
The scam starts with social media ads, pop-ups, text messages, or spam emails directing victims to the ZestCoupons.com website.
Subject lines like “85% Off Amazon Code” or “Starbucks Promo Codes” entice people to click, alongside the prominent use of brand logos.
2. Site Shows Codes for Major Retailers and Services
The ZestCoupons site displays the logos of many top brands prominently, alongside text like:
This gives the impression that ZestCoupons has exclusive coupon codes that provide huge savings for the listed companies.
3. Clicking Codes Leads Down an Affiliate Funnel
When victims click on a coupon they want, instead of receiving a code, they are redirected to an affiliate funnel.
This means victims must hand over personal information, agree to subscribe to services, or download apps/extensions they likely do not want. The purpose is to collect data and expose victims to offers carrying commissions.
4. Must Complete Offers Before Codes are “Unlocked”
To get the codes, victims must complete 2-3 “offers” – either signing up for subscriptions, downloading apps, or providing info. These offers prey on victims’ desire to get the coupons:
Downloading shady browser extensions and mobile apps
Signing up for “risk-free” trials that convert into paid subscriptions
Submitting personal and contact information
Completing useless surveys or questionnaires
Many downloads are malware. Trials become recurring charges. And personal info gets sold to shady parties.
5. No Working Codes are Provided – Just Recurring Charges
After completing the required offers, victims find out the coupon codes do not actually work or provide any discounts. The promises were completely fake.
Instead, victims are left with:
Monthly credit card charges for any paid trials signed up for
Spam emails flooding inboxes with more scammy offers
Malware on devices from downloaded apps and extensions
Personal info stolen and sold on the dark web
Meanwhile, scammers profit from affiliate commissions and any recurring subscription charges resulting from their funnel.
What to Do If You Fell for the Coupon Code Scam
If you already clicked on ZestCoupons.com coupons and completed offers, take these steps immediately:
Review accounts closely and dispute any fraudulent credit card charges. Cancel trials ASAP.
Uninstall anything downloaded from the site to remove malware lurking on your devices.
Change passwords on accounts you entered info into to protect credentials. Turn on two-factor authentication as well.
Contact credit bureaus to implement fraud alerts in case your information gets used for identity theft.
Report the scam to the FTC, brands impersonated, social networks, ad networks, and email providers to help get the campaign shut down.
Acting quickly following exposure to coupon scams limits damages and protects more potential victims. Don’t let the lure of free codes open the door to frauds.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
FAQ: The ZestCoupons.com Promo Code Scam
What exactly is the ZestCoupons.com scam?
ZestCoupons is a scam website that falsely promises exclusive coupon codes for major brands like Amazon, Starbucks, YouTube, etc. But the site is not associated with any of those companies and the codes do not work.
How does the ZestCoupons coupon scam operate?
The site displays brand logos without consent to appear valid. Clicking coupon links leads to an affiliate funnel that gets victims to provide data and sign up for paid subscriptions, allowing scammers to profit.
What happens when you click on a coupon code on ZestCoupons?
Instead of receiving a working promo code, victims are redirected to offers they must complete first, like downloading apps, signing up for trials, or submitting personal information. This exposes them to malware, recurring fees, and data harvesting.
Are the coupon codes on ZestCoupons real and working?
No, the coupon codes for brands like Amazon, Starbucks, YouTube, etc shown on ZestCoupons are completely fake. They are not real codes and provide no actual discounts or savings. The offers are a total scam.
What are the red flags that indicate ZestCoupons is a scam?
Red flags include the too-good-to-be-true discounted codes, strange requirement to complete questionable offers before accessing codes, and use of major brand logos without consent. Real brands would not provide such codes this way.
What should I do if I already clicked on ZestCoupons codes?
If you entered information or completed offers, immediately cancel any pending subscriptions, scan devices for malware, monitor accounts for fraud, change passwords, setup credit alerts, and report the scam. Act quickly to limit damages.
How can I avoid coupon code scams in the future?
Stick to getting codes directly from official brand sites and be wary of third-parties offering easy discounts. Scrutinize promo offers closely and don’t click on questionable links in emails or ads floating codes.
The Bottom Line on the ZestCoupons.com Scam
The bottom line is – ZestCoupons.com has no relationship with any of the brands it claims to offer codes for. The coupons are completely fake and non-working. The site simply uses logos without consent to trick visitors.
In reality, it’s just a facade to funnel victims into useless subscriptions, data harvesting schemes, and malware installs. You will not receive any real savings by clicking on this scam website.
To avoid this coupon code scam, remember:
Major brands and retailers do not provide exclusive promotional codes through unfamiliar third-party websites.
If an offer seems too easy, like deep discounts for minimal effort, it’s likely a scam. Delete suspicious messages.
Never pay money or provide personal information in exchange for coupon codes. Real codes require no such hoops.
Carefully scrutinizing coupon offers protects you from scams. Seek codes directly from brand sites instead of clicking on questionable links promising easy free savings. Stay vigilant!
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
