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.
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!