Quick answer: Verify the seller, the exact terms and the final checkout price before treating any promotion as a real deal.
Start with the source, not the screenshot
A promotional screenshot can be old, edited or missing the conditions that determine eligibility. Open the retailer or service through its known website or official app. Search for the promotion there rather than following an unfamiliar shortened link.
Check the spelling of the domain, the app publisher and the security of the connection. A padlock only means the connection is encrypted; it does not prove the seller is honest.
Read the conditions that change the value
The headline may say 50% cashback while the terms cap the benefit at a small amount. Calculate using the lower of the advertised percentage and the maximum cap. Also check minimum spend, eligible payment method, customer type, location, product exclusions and whether cancellation removes the benefit.
- Promotion start and end time, including time zone
- New-user or account-specific eligibility
- Minimum order value and maximum benefit
- Required card, wallet or payment route
- Whether tax, fees and delivery count
- Expected cashback date and complaint process
Test the final price
Add the correct product to the cart and apply the offer before paying. Compare the delivered total — not just the item price — with another reputable seller. A coupon can be real and still produce a worse total after fees or inflated reference pricing.
Do not complete a purchase solely to preserve a countdown. A legitimate retailer should disclose the payable amount before authorization.
Keep evidence
Save the offer terms, checkout summary, order number and payment confirmation. For delayed cashback, record the promised credit date. This evidence is more useful than a banner if support later disputes eligibility.
A 60-second verification checklist
- Official domain or app confirmed
- Seller identity and return route visible
- Eligibility and exclusions read
- Maximum benefit calculated
- Final delivered price compared
- No request for OTP, PIN or remote access
- Terms and confirmation saved