Not every website claiming to offer a discount code is trustworthy or up to date. As discount codes have become a normal part of online shopping, so have low-quality voucher sites designed to earn clicks rather than help shoppers save money. Knowing a few warning signs makes it much easier to shop safely.

Be wary of pages that hide the code

Genuine discount sites usually show the code clearly, or reveal it with a single click. Be cautious of pages that make you complete surveys, download something, or click through several unrelated websites before a code appears. This is often a sign the site is more interested in advertising revenue than in helping you save.

Check the retailer name and destination

Before clicking through on a code, check that it is genuinely for the retailer you intend to shop with, and that the link takes you to the retailer’s real website rather than an unfamiliar domain. If a link redirects somewhere that does not look like the retailer’s own site, it is safer to go directly to the retailer and search for the offer yourself.

Never pay to unlock a code

A legitimate discount code should never require you to enter payment details, provide extensive personal information, or pay a fee before you can see it. If a site asks for anything beyond an email address, or the offer seems too generous compared with the retailer’s usual promotions, treat it with caution.

Check how recently the code was verified

Reliable discount pages usually show when a code was last checked or used successfully. A code with no date, or one that has clearly not been updated in a long time, is more likely to have expired. If in doubt, try the code and have a backup plan, such as a current sale, in case it does not work.

A useful discount site should make it clear what the offer is, who it is for, and where you will be taken when you use it. CheckoutDeals lists current codes with their terms shown upfront, so you know what you are getting before you click through to a retailer.