Target warns of fraudulent coupons

MINNEAPOLIS Target announced that it will no longer accept coupon offers for $5 off a $25 or more toy or general merchandise purchase due to tampering of the coupon. According to the company, the altered coupon had the word "toy" removed to make it appear to apply to any purchase.

The original coupons were sent via e-mail to about 85,000 Target shoppers.

Guests who originally received the coupon will be notified via e-mail that the coupon no longer is being accepted, and they also will receive a $5 Target GiftCard by mail. In addition, Target stores are posting signs at all check-out lanes alerting guests that these coupons are no longer valid.

Kathee Tesija, evp of merchandising for Target, said, “Our goal is to always surprise and delight our guests with great values, and we are disappointed that some of our guests may be inconvenienced by our need to respond to this fraudulent tampering and transferring.”