Still tempted to get involved in a Coupon clipping venture through an ad in the newspaper, a magazine or on the Internet? Exercise caution. Ask questions—and make sure the answers add up.

• Ask for details of the company’s refund policy before you invest any money.

• Ask for the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees. What will you get for your money?

• Find out who will pay you, whether you’ll be paid on salary or Commission, and when you will get your first paycheck.

• Get all promises in writing. Any promises you hear should be written into the contract you sign.

• Check out the company with the consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau in your own area and in the city where the company is located. These organizations can tell you whether other consumers have complained about the work-at-home program that interests you. It’s not fool-proof, but it is prudent.

• Find out all the costs and fees associated with getting the coupons and then do the math. Often, in addition to buying the coupon certificates, you’ll have to pay hefty postage and processing fees.

Where to Complain
If you have been or are involved in a coupon Certificate or coupon clipping business opportunity that isn’t making good on its promises, contact the company and ask for a refund. Let the company know you plan to notify officials about your experience. If you can’t resolve the dispute with the company, you may want to turn to one of these organizations for help:

• The advertising manager of the publication that ran the ad. The manager should be interested in the problems you’ve had with the company.

• Your local Postmaster. The US Postal Service investigates fraudulent mail practices.

• The Attorney General’s Office in your state or the state where the company is located.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.