Gap warning about fake vouchers

The special invitation has become a little bit too special for Gap

The clothing chain Gap has warned bargain hungry customers in the UK not to be fooled by fake 60%-off vouchers.

Gap said that the vouchers offering huge pre-Christmas discounts were doctored versions of genuine 30%-off vouchers issued by the retailer.

The real vouchers were e-mailed to Gap's business associates who were told to forward them to friends and family.

E-mailed discount vouchers have become an increasingly popular promotion for retailers in the lead-up to Christmas.

And so, as a result, have the instances of consumers trying to get the biggest possible discounts.

Doctor, doctor

Last year, drinks retailer Threshers said it was worried that its 40% off vouchers had been distributed so widely that it could end up hurting profits.

But despite the problems, the company has again made the vouchers available on its website this year.

Earlier this month, Littlewoods decided to stop pursuing online shoppers who it claimed had abused an online £25-off voucher.

The vouchers had been sent to specific customers but had then been widely distributed.

Gap said it expected its discount vouchers would be sent around.

"If we send it out to someone we are working with in the business we expect them to forward it on to their colleagues, friends and family," a spokeswoman for Gap said.

"That is not a problem but it was a 30% discount voucher."

"Obviously someone has doctored this and it can be disappointing for people. We are disappointed that it has been abused in this way," she added.

The retailer has been offering 30% discounts to people turning up at stores with the fake vouchers.