What is a digital voucher?¶

A digital voucher is electronically issued value or entitlement that can be redeemed for goods, services, credit or another benefit.

Avoid the dangerous assumption¶

The dangerous assumption is that the email, message or account showing the voucher identifies the purchaser or person who used it.

A digital voucher may be delivered as a code, barcode, QR code, account credit, downloadable file or link.

It may be issued by a retailer, marketplace, payment provider, employer, promotional service or voucher platform.

Relevant records may include the voucher identifier, value, currency, purchase method, purchaser account, delivery email or phone number, activation time, redemption history, linked account and remaining balance.

The purchaser may send or sell the voucher to another person.

The code may also be copied, intercepted, photographed or shared without transfer of the original message.

Preserve the complete voucher, delivery message, email headers, account details, purchase receipt and surrounding communications.

Do not redeem or test unused value unnecessarily.

Ask the issuer which account purchased the voucher, how it was funded, where it was delivered, when it was activated and where it was redeemed.

A voucher shown in a device or account may prove access or possession at that time, but not original purchase or exclusive control.

Likewise, the named recipient may not be the person who ultimately used the value.

Where the voucher was redeemed online, obtain account, device, IP address, order and delivery records.

When reporting, distinguish purchase, issue, delivery, possession, transfer and redemption.

Operational takeaway¶

Treat a digital voucher as transferable electronic value and trace its purchase, delivery, account linkage and redemption separately before attributing ownership or use.