JCPenney Coupons: $100 Coupon, $80 Gift Card Offers On Facebook Are Scams

If you have seen JCPenney coupons circulating on Facebook recently, you might want to think twice before you get too excited!

There are two specific type of offers from the popular retailer that have been shared and posted frequently on this social media platform in recent weeks that are actually fraudulent scams.

The JCPenney coupons and offers in question include a $100 off coupon and an $80 gift card.

As seen in the photo, the actual “$100 Off” coupon itself looks somewhat legitimate. The printed company name JCPenney is placed alongside “Get Your Penney’s Worth.” In February, JCPenney announced the launch of its new value proposition, “Get Your Penney’s Worth.” According to a statement released by the company, the new value proposition was unveiled through a spring marketing campaign.

“The idea reinforces how the Company is on a mission to ensure every shopping trip in stores and at jcp.com is worth the customer’s time, money and effort. The virtues behind ‘Get Your Penney’s Worth’ will be adapted into an enhanced customer service model for associates, as well as influence the shopping experience in stores, online and on mobile devices.”

Therefore, adding the statement “Get Your Penney’s Worth” to this particular $100 Off coupon may have added to its appeal when it came to establishing credibility with consumers. However, paying attention to the fine print of the coupon brings upon a different perspective all together.

These “$100 Off” JCPenney coupons were allegedly good for purchases with a $100 minimum. Therefore, a consumer using one of these JCPenney coupons on a $100 transaction could essentially leave the store with $100 worth of merchandise for free. Even though it does specify that the offer is only good for “select apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry [and] home” products, the odds of a legitimate coupon from any retailer offering this type of deal are very slim.

This fraudulent scam is very similar to the JCPenney coupons that were circulating on Facebook last August. According to Snopes.com, a link “promised users a $100 JCPenney coupon in exchange for liking and sharing a post.” The post consisted of a deadline countdown, which pushed the sense of urgency for its victims to hurry up and share the post before time ran out on them.

The report further states that users that shared the controversial link to the chain’s official Facebook page received replies from company representatives confirming the lack of authenticity.

“I do apologize that I have to disappoint you. The $100 off…coupon offer that has been posted to some social media sites is not a valid JCPenney coupon. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”

Another one of the JCPenney coupons and questionable offers that has been making its rounds on Facebook is for an $80 gift card off of any in-store purchase.

The sense of urgency is also presented within this particular offer since its expiration date in April 30, 2016.

Unlike the “$100 Off” coupon, this JCPenney $80 gift card comes with a bar code – adding to its realistic format and design along with the company logo. However, like with the “$100 Off” coupon, there are quite a few red flags presented in the easy-to-overlook details of this offer as well.

For instance, pay close attention to the website listed underneath the coupon – “JC.PENNNEY.COM.” Did you notice the extra “n?”

In addition, the title of the advertisement claims that JCPenney is celebrating its 125th anniversary. James Cash “J.C.” Penney opened the very first JCPenney store on April 14, 1902, according to the State Historical Society of Missouri — 114 years ago. Chances are that the major department store chain would not make the mistake of celebrating a monumental anniversary 11 years early.

When it comes to verifying the authenticity of store offers – such as JCPenney coupons – it’s always recommended to go straight to the source. Keep in mind that the company does offer quite a few sales, specials and coupons on the official company website that are undoubtedly legitimate.

[Image Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]