WASHINGTON — Starting April 1, 2011, manufacturers will use “reason code 36” in communications with retailers to indicate that reimbursement payment is being denied for coupons that have been identified as counterfeit, the Grocery Manufacturers Association here announced Friday.
Reason codes have long been used by manufacturers to notify retailers that coupons submitted for reimbursement have been denied payment for a variety of reasons. As a tool to track, manage and prevent the use of counterfeit coupons, the Association of Coupon Professionals proposed the new reason code to identify counterfeit coupons.
The Joint Industry Coupon Committee (JICC), which includes representatives from several industry trade groups, endorses the use of reason code 36, and believes that it is imperative for all parties involved in the couponing process to take action against counterfeit coupons and coupon fraud.
