A viral video has ignited outrage and debate across social media after a CVS store manager called the police on a Black woman who was simply trying to use a manufacturer’s coupon. The incident, recorded on the woman’s phone, has drawn widespread criticism and raised renewed concerns about racial bias and customer treatment in retail environments.
The footage shows the woman calmly explaining that she was attempting to redeem a valid coupon when the manager accused her of attempting to use a “fraudulent” offer. In the clip, the man can be seen on the phone with police while the woman records, visibly frustrated but composed. “He’s calling the cops on me for using a coupon,” she says, her voice shaking between disbelief and anger.
Viewers can hear the manager telling the operator that he felt “threatened” — even though the woman stood several feet away, recording quietly. “I just wanted to use my coupon,” she repeats in the video. “Now the police are coming because he doesn’t believe it’s real.”
The video spread rapidly online, sparking intense public reaction and drawing parallels to other incidents where police were called on people of color over minor or non-criminal disputes — a trend often described as “profiling by proxy.”
“I’ve seen this story too many times,” one commenter wrote. “They weaponize the police against people for existing while Black.” Another added, “Calling the cops over a coupon is not about policy — it’s about prejudice.”
CVS quickly responded to the backlash with an official statement condemning the incident and confirming that the manager involved had been placed on leave pending an internal investigation. “We do not tolerate discrimination or bias of any kind,” the company said. “We are deeply concerned by what we see in the video and are reviewing the situation to ensure our employees handle all customer interactions respectfully.”
Civil rights advocates say the situation highlights how racial bias can escalate even the most ordinary interactions. “This is about more than a coupon,” said Dr. Alicia Martin, a sociologist specializing in race and public behavior. “It’s about how assumptions of guilt or deception are often unfairly projected onto people of color — even when they’re simply following the rules.”
In an interview after the video went viral, the woman involved said she never expected the situation to explode the way it did. “I wasn’t yelling, I wasn’t being aggressive,” she explained. “I just wanted to save a few dollars. Instead, I got humiliated in front of everyone.”
The incident has reignited calls for corporate accountability, with many urging major retailers to provide better training on de-escalation and bias awareness. “This could have been solved with an apology or a quick verification,” one commenter noted. “Instead, someone decided to call the police — and that’s dangerous.”
As the video continues to gain traction, it serves as yet another reminder of how quickly everyday moments can become flashpoints for larger societal issues — and how empathy, rather than fear or suspicion, can prevent unnecessary harm.
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