What the evidence can show
The terms can show who may qualify, what action is required, and the period in which that action must happen. They may also define exclusions, such as account status, location, age, payment method, or particular products. Treat each point as a condition to verify, not as proof that any individual is eligible. A displayed benefit describes what may be available if the stated conditions are met; it does not remove those conditions.
Version and timing matter. An offer page, a general terms page, and a later account message may not be identical. Record the version you reviewed, its displayed date or timestamp if available, and the offer period shown. If no version date is visible, note that absence rather than assuming the page is current. Evidence captured later may not establish which wording applied when someone first saw or joined an offer.
| Evidence item | What to check | What it can establish |
|---|---|---|
| Offer headline | Benefit and stated dates | What was advertised, not every condition |
| Eligibility section | Who qualifies and exclusions | Written qualification criteria |
| Offer-specific steps | Required actions and deadlines | How the terms define completion |
| Captured page or message | Timestamp and version context | Wording visible at that time |
Hypothetical example: A headline says “extra reading credit,” while the terms limit eligibility to certain account types and require an action by a stated deadline. The headline supports what was promoted; the eligibility section supports the conditions. Neither alone establishes whether a particular person met them.
How to check the details
Start with the offer-specific eligibility section rather than relying on a general summary. Read nearby definitions and cross-references too: a term such as “new account” may be explained elsewhere, and a deadline may appear under a separate participation heading. Compare the wording with the headline, but do not treat a difference in emphasis as proof that the written conditions were changed.
- Identify the offer name or description and capture the page or message with its date, time, and visible version information.
- Record the relevant start and end dates, including the time zone if stated. Distinguish the offer period from a separate deadline to complete an action or claim a benefit.
- Copy the eligibility conditions accurately: account or customer status, location, age requirements, opt-in steps, qualifying activity, and any exclusions that are actually stated.
- Check limits and definitions, such as one participation per person or account, if present. Note missing or unclear details instead of filling them in from assumptions or another offer.
Then compare related pages or messages only when they clearly concern the same offer. If wording conflicts, preserve each version and note where it appeared and when it was captured. A later page may clarify current wording, but it does not by itself prove what applied earlier. Keep exact quotations for disputed conditions and a separate plain-language summary so interpretation is not mistaken for source text.
Hypothetical example: Suppose terms say an eligible action must occur by 23:59 on a named date, but do not state a time zone. Record the date, the missing time-zone detail, and the exact wording. Do not silently convert it to a local deadline. If the terms state a time zone, record that too. This makes the evidence checkable without inventing precision.
Restrictions involving self-exclusion should be recorded as written, not treated as a puzzle to work around. Do not infer that an offer creates an exception to a stated restriction or suggest bypassing it. If the material is unclear, describe the uncertainty without proposing a circumvention method.
Recording a useful conclusion
Write a conclusion that separates observed facts from interpretation. State which dated material you reviewed, the qualification conditions it explicitly lists, the relevant dates, and any gaps or inconsistencies. Use careful wording such as “the captured terms state” rather than declaring that an unidentified person definitely qualifies. Eligibility may depend on facts that the public material cannot show, including account details or actions taken.
A concise record might say: “The captured offer page, dated [date], lists [condition] and gives [deadline]. The headline describes [benefit]. The page does not specify [unclear point].” Brackets here are placeholders, not claims about a real offer. Keep the original capture alongside your notes, avoid combining rules from different versions, and label any illustrative scenario as hypothetical. This produces a transparent account of what the evidence supports—and what remains unknown—without turning an advertisement into a guarantee.