DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam

If you are a fan of sports and outdoor activities, you might have heard of DICK’S Sporting Goods, one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the US. But did you know that there are also fake online shopping sites that use the DICK’S Sporting Goods name and logo to scam unsuspecting customers? In this blog post, we will explain what these fake sites are, how they work, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to them.

DICK'S Sporting Goods Scam

What are the DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam?

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam is a type of online fraud that involves creating fake websites that look like the official DICK’S Sporting Goods website, but are actually run by scammers who want to steal your personal and financial information, or sell you counterfeit or non-existent products. These fake sites may use domain names that are similar to the official one, such as dicksportinggoods.com, dicksportinggoods.net, or dicksportinggoods.shop, or they may use other tricks to make you think they are legitimate, such as displaying the DICK’S Sporting Goods logo, offering discounts and coupons, or sending you phishing emails.

How does the DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam work?

The scammers behind these fake sites use various methods to lure you into their trap. They may:

  • Send you phishing emails that claim to be from DICK’S Sporting Goods, and ask you to click on a link to access a special offer, confirm your order, update your account, or verify your identity. The link will take you to a fake site where you will be asked to enter your personal and financial information, such as your name, address, credit card number, or social security number.
  • Create fake social media accounts or pages on Facebook, Instagram and TitTok that pretend to be affiliated with DICK’S Sporting Goods, and post links to their fake sites, or ask you to share or like their posts in exchange for a chance to win a prize or a coupon.
  • Use online ads or pop-ups that redirect you to their fake sites when you click on them, or that claim that you have won a gift card or a free product from DICK’S Sporting Goods.
  • Use fake reviews or testimonials that praise their products or services, and encourage you to buy from them.

Once you land on their fake site, they will try to convince you to buy their products or services, which may be counterfeit, damaged, defective, or never delivered. They may also charge you more than what they advertised, or add hidden fees or subscriptions. They may also use your personal and financial information to commit identity theft, make unauthorized purchases, or sell it to other scammers.

What to do if you have fallen victim?

If you have fallen victim to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent further damage:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately and report the fraudulent transaction. Ask them to cancel your card and issue a new one. Also check your statements regularly for any suspicious charges.
  • Change your passwords and security questions for any online accounts that may have been compromised. Use strong and unique passwords for each account.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/.
  • Report the fake site to DICK’S Sporting Goods at https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/s/contact-us. They may be able to take legal action against the scammers or warn other customers.
  • Warn your friends and family about the scam and tell them not to click on any links or buy anything from these fake sites.

Conclusion

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam is a serious threat that can cost you money and put your identity at risk. To avoid falling for this scam, always be careful when shopping online and follow these tips:

  • Only shop from the official DICK’S Sporting Goods website at https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/, or from authorized retailers or partners. You can check if a site is authorized by contacting DICK’S Sporting Goods customer service at 1-877-846-9997.
  • Always check the domain name and the URL of the site you are visiting. Look for spelling errors, missing letters, extra characters, or other signs that indicate it is not the official site. Also, make sure the site has a secure connection, indicated by a padlock icon and https:// at the beginning of the URL.
  • Do not click on any links or attachments in emails or messages that claim to be from DICK’S Sporting Goods, unless you are sure they are genuine. You can verify the sender’s email address by hovering over it or checking the header. You can also contact DICK’S Sporting Goods customer service to confirm if they sent you the email or message.
  • Do not share your personal or financial information with anyone online, unless you trust them and you initiated the contact. Never give out your credit card number, social security number, or other sensitive information over email, phone, or text message.
  • Do not fall for offers that seem too good to be true, such as discounts, coupons, prizes, or free products. Always read the terms and conditions carefully and look for hidden fees or subscriptions. If you are unsure about an offer, do some research online or contact DICK’S Sporting Goods customer service to verify it.
  • Read reviews and testimonials from other customers before buying anything online. Look for honest and unbiased feedback from reputable sources, such as the BBB, Trustpilot, or Consumer Reports. Avoid reviews that are overly positive or negative, or that use similar wording or phrases.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe and happy shopping!

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

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    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

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    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.