Television programs showcasing people who literally make a living out of clipping coupons have inspired a wave of “wanna-be’s,” individuals who want to turn couponing into extra income.

Unfortunately, the show and a number of Internet blogs and websites are encouraging coupon seekers to go down to the local newspaper and dig coupons out of the trash. Or buy one newspaper and take 10 out of the rack.

Is that a problem? Absolutely. It’s illegal and The Valdosta Daily Times is joining the numerous newspapers and coupon companies who are being forced to take legal action against those who steal.

“On any given Sunday, we average maybe 200 papers that are stolen, either in whole or in part,” said Andrew Wardle, division circulation manager for CNHI newspapers, the parent company of The Valdosta Daily Times.

“However, in recent weeks, the VDT is seeing upwards of 1,000 newspapers every Sunday that are stolen out of racks, and we are taking steps to prosecute those responsible.”

Unfortunately, said Times Production Manager Vince Cribb, the issue doesn’t stop at rack theft. Individuals are also showing up at the newspaper print facility, attempting to steal coupons from the carrier bins and even trying to break into the recycling trailer.

“It’s not only trespassing, it’s also theft,” said Cribb. “We’ve had to chase a lot of people out of here lately, but now, we’re going to have to start calling the law on them. Even after we tell them what they’re doing is illegal, they keep coming back. All they have to do is spend ($1.25) on a paper to get the coupons, but these folks are saying the TV shows are telling them that this is the way to do this. It’s not.”

Times National Accounts Manager Laura Rogers said that people don’t understand that the coupon books are heavily regulated by the companies. To the companies, the coupons are no different than cash.

The company that distributes SmartSource coupons issued a statement in May to all newspapers that they will criminally prosecute any newspaper that allows coupons to be obtained illegally. This includes allowing any leftover coupons to be taken from trash or recycling bins, as any remaining inserts must be destroyed. The Times has to sign an affidavit and provide proof they have done so.

“The coupon companies don’t send us enough to go into all of the newspapers we distribute. Our instructions are to always take care of home delivery first, and then whatever’s left can go into racks. If there are any unsold papers in the racks, those coupons must be destroyed,” said Rogers.

“People are trying to steal large quantities not just for themselves, but to sell them on the Internet. It’s becoming a thriving but illegal business,” she said.

Coupon enthusiasts are encouraged by legitimate websites to pay for multiple subscriptions to multiple newspapers in order to get multiple coupons, as the small investment will more than be returned in savings.

Times Publisher Jeff Masters said customers who don’t want to subscribe are more than welcome to come into The Times offices Monday through Friday and buy as many newspapers as they’d like, as long as supplies last, in order to obtain coupon inserts.

“The downside to all of this is that it is forcing stores to limit the number of coupons per customer and it’s also forcing coupon distributors to consider dropping certain markets, such as Valdosta, due to the amount of theft. It’s a shame that a few people who have no remorse about stealing can affect the entire community and prevent everyone from having access to savings,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the possibility of losing our coupon inserts entirely is forcing The Times to take measures to have the thieves arrested and prosecuted. People need to understand that stealing coupons is no different than stealing cash.”