With the rise of online shopping, scams impersonating popular retailers have become increasingly common. One scheme to be aware of is fraudulent websites promoting fake DSW clearance sales and steal deals.
These convincing scam sites advertise huge discounts on DSW shoes and accessories using the brand’s logos and images without authorization. They promote fabricated flash sales, closeouts and inventory liquidations that do not exist on the real DSW website.
Unwitting shoppers lured in by dramatic advertised markdowns up to 90% off end up receiving nothing as expected, cheap counterfeits, or completely random junk items. Victims also have personal and payment information compromised by online retail scammers.
This article provides an in-depth look at how the DSW clearance sale scam works, red flags to watch for, what to do if you are victimized, and most importantly – how to avoid falling for these fraudulent deals in the first place.
Overview of the DSW Clearance Sale Scam
The fake DSW sales scam operates through a network of convincing but fraudulent websites that mimic authorized online shoe stores. Scammers create sophisticated storefronts advertising clearance events and liquidation sales in order to deceive customers browsing for discounted designer shoes and accessories.
Here’s a closer look at how the websites, deals, and ordering process work to successfully trick unsuspecting shoppers:
Deceptive Domain Names
Rather than using DSW’s name outright, scam sites rely on manipulative domain names that suggest affiliation. Examples include “DSW Warehouse Outlet,” “DSW Shoe Deals,” and “DSW Clearance Fashions.”
These types of names are carefully crafted to ride brand familiarity while implying authorized association or specialty clearance sales. But it’s just a sneaky tactic with no actual relation to DSW itself.
Realistic Website Designs
Beyond just domain names, scam sites invest heavily in legitimate-looking templates to rebuild the DSW brand visual experience. They incorporate logos, fonts, photos and navigation to mimic the authentic site.
To the casual viewer, pages appear as an extension of DSW or partner outlet. But in reality it is an intricate facade with no working backend except processing payments.
Advertising Fake Limited-Time Deals
A core strategy used to drive impulse orders is promoting short-lived sales events suggesting extreme value. The scammers create urgency and excitement using tactics like countdown timers, limited inventory warnings, and claims of one-time clearances.
Inventing flash deal narratives puts pressure on customers and portrays dramatic yet false discounts up to 90% off retail prices. But no such DSW liquidation events are actually occurring.
Stealing Brand Assets
Nearly all product imagery used on fraudulent DSW deal websites is stolen directly from DSW.com without permission. Logos, models, item photos and other branding assets are copied to make scam pages appear legit.
Some sites even have DSW’s latest shoe collections pictured long before available for purchase on the real website. This tricks shoppers into believing the sellers have inside access to upcoming releases.
Fabricating Customer Reviews
Fake DSW sales pages usually contain compliments and reviews praising the deals, site experience, and customer service. But in reality these are completely invented.
Reviews can be faked to establish trust in otherwise unknown sites. Without being able to leave real warnings, new visitors assume past shoppers validated the discounts.
Disabling Real User Feedback
While reviews are falsified, actual user comments are disabled on scam sites. This prevents victims from posting feedback about fraud, non-delivery, or terrible products.
Disabling reviews maintains the illusion and hides evidence in plain sight that would expose the scams. It allows fabricated narratives to go unchallenged.
Deception Contact and Policies
Scam websites also deception policies like satisfaction guarantees, return windows, contact forms, live chat, and phone numbers. But these are entirely non-functional and only for show.
If users attempt to activate buyer protection or request refunds, they find no actual way to get responses from the scammers operating the sites after payments are processed.
Anonymous Operators
Fraudulent DSW clearance websites provide zero legitimate business registration details, location info, owner identities, or other standard transparency data.
Anonymity allows fly-by-night sites to take the money and instantly disappear without a trace once the jig is up. Victims have no recourse with blind domain registrations and nameless operators.
Collecting Personal and Payment Data
While no shoes or accessories are delivered from sham DSW sales websites, they do harvest customers’ financial and personal data during checkout. This includes full names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and payment card information with security codes in some cases.
Beyond just credit card numbers, the depth of stolen information aids scammers in committing identity fraud using victims’ compromised details.
How the DSW Clearance Sale Scam Works
Unwitting customers lured into placing orders at fraudulent DSW clearance websites never end up receiving the amazing discounted designer shoes and accessories described. Here are the common outcomes victims experience:
No Products Delivered
The most frequent scam scenario is victims’ credit cards get charged for products that simply never arrive after orders are placed. Emails are ignored, shipment tracking numbers are invalid or deserted, and the trail goes cold.
Scammers pocketed the payments without any intent or ability to fulfill orders. The deep discount event was a total fabrication used to collect funds and data without shipping any actual products in return.
Cheap Knockoffs and Fakes
Some scam victims do receive products in the mail, but not at all what they paid for. Instead of authentic designer shoes, they get cheap replicas and knockoffs made with poor quality.
These items only resemble the real products in pictures. They demonstrate scammers’ intent to offload as little value as possible while still tricking shoppers into believing they fulfilled the orders.
Used, Damaged or Tampered Goods
In some cases, victims receive goods that are clearly used, defective or tampered with. Shoes may have signs of wear and tear or be packaged opened or resealed.
There are even reports of malware being installed on devices used to access the scam websites. Fraud operators have been known to try installing tracking programs on victims’ phones or computers through site code.
Either way, paying customers definitely do not receive new authentic products as advertised and expected when ordering. The fraudsters have no relationship with DSW or any other legitimate distributors.
Random Unrelated Items
Perhaps the most ridiculous outcome scammed shoppers report is receiving random junk in the mail that is completely unrelated to what they ordered.
Some get cheap plastic gadgets, phone cases, cosmetics, electronics, clothing and other mystery items from China totally unrelated to shoes.
This demonstrates the pure sham behind scam site inventory claims. They never source real products and simply mail whatever discarded items are available just to maintain the appearance of fulfilling orders.
Identity Theft Risks
Even victims who are sharp enough to avoid being charged entirely still share valuable personal data and expose themselves to identity theft by entering details into scam checkout forms.
Crooks are known to sell or exploit stolen personal and financial information. Those who enter payment info may also see additional mysterious charges pop up even if the original shoe orders are never filled or refunded.
So engaging at all with fake DSW shoe websites poses substantial consumer risks beyond just losing order payments. Once your data enters scam networks, it can be used against you until locks and monitors are put in place.
What to Do If You Are Scammed by a Fake DSW Website
If you unfortunately discover too late that you have been duped by a fraudulent DSW clearance sale website, here are important steps to take immediately:
Contact Your Credit Card Company
Since payment information is compromised, begin by contacting your credit card provider to report unauthorized charges stemming from the scam website orders. disputing the charges gives you the best shot at reversing them. But move quickly, as longer wait times reduce the odds of successful chargebacks.
Place Fraud Alert on Credit Reports
Consider placing 90-day fraud alerts on your credit reports to guard against any potential identity theft using your stolen details. Alerts notify lenders to take extra steps verifying your identity prior to issuing credit. You can get free alerts from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion bureaus.
Reset Online Account Passwords
Take preventative steps like changing passwords on any existing online accounts that share credentials entered on the scam website. Prioritize accounts of sensitivity like banking, email, Amazon and social media. Enable two-factor authentication for added security moving forward.
Monitor Financial Accounts Closely
Be vigilant in monitoring bank statements and credit card accounts for any signs of additional unusual or unauthorized transactions in the weeks following data theft. Report any transactions that appear suspicious or that you don’t recognize to your provider immediately.
Check Credit Reports Frequently
Along with financial statements, check your credit reports frequently through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to catch any indicators of identity theft stemming from the data breach. Look for credit checks, new accounts or inquiries you don’t approve to address ASAP.
Avoid Repeat Scams
Those scammed once are often targeted again since crooks see you as vulnerable. Going forward, apply extra scrutiny towards deals and retailers that appear too good to be true. Never again pay under sales pressure without thoroughly vetting sites first.
Report Scam Websites and Transactions
Reporting shady websites, concerning transactions and scam details to the FTC, FBI, state attorneys general, and other enforcement bodies supports investigations and actions to shut down frauds. The more evidence authorities have on current scam tactics, the better equipped they are to catch crooks.
Quickly taking these steps can help limit damages and prevent further misuse of your compromised personal and financial information obtained illegally through fake ecommerce websites. While risks cannot be eliminated entirely once data is stolen, victims can frustrate scammers’ efforts to fully exploit the stolen details.
How to Avoid DSW Clearance Sale Scams
The most effective way to combat online retail scams is preventing engagement entirely. Here are tips for detecting and avoiding fraudulent websites masquerading as authorized DSW clearance events and steal deals:
- Verify seller: Research stores extensively before providing payment info or placing orders. Search business registrations, reviews, contact info, real locations and other details to confirm legitimacy.
- Avoid sales pressure: Don’t allow countdown timers, limited quantities or other fabricated urgencies to push you into quick purchases. Stand firm and vet sites first.
- Beware “too good to be true”: Extreme discounts like 90% off are almost always too good to be true. DSW does not offer such unrealistic pricing.
- Compare product images: Scammers steal official product photos and assets. Identical catalogs strongly indicate a fraud.
- Read reviews carefully: Fake reviews are vague and generic. Seek critical reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot and Reddit.
- Check privacy policies: Fraud sites often have fake or stolen policies. Real policies have authentic legal details and protections.
- Avoid new/unknown sites: Stick to well-established retailers you recognize like DSW.com itself and verified partners only for purchases.
- Pay securely: Never pay by bank transfer, wire or crypto. Use only credit cards with fraud protections to dispute scam charges.
- Search scam forums: Look on scam identification sites to see if a website is called out as fraudulent by past victims.
Remaining vigilant for warning signs saves your money and identity from criminals impersonating trusted brands online. Don’t let tantalizing discounts override your common sense. By applying scrutiny and following ecommerce safety best practices, you can confidently detect and resist clearance sale scams no matter how convincing their facades may be.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DSW Clearance Sale Scam
Are there real DSW clearance sales going on now?
DSW runs various promotions on its website, but beware of any major markdowns promoted on unfamiliar third-party sites. Fake clearance scams are rampant. Visit dsw.com to find available DSW sales you can trust.
How can I tell if a DSW sale site is fake or not?
Warning signs include too-good-to-be-true discounts, copied images, countdown timers, missing contact details, disabled reviews, credit card only, and lack of physical address. Use research to confirm legitimacy before purchasing.
What happens if I order from a DSW scam website?
Most likely you’ll receive nothing and lose your money. In some cases people get cheap knockoffs, used goods or random items unrelated to their order. Best case is catching it in time to do a credit card chargeback.
Can I get a refund if scammed by a fake DSW website?
Recovering lost money is very rare once scammers have it. Act immediately upon realizing it’s a scam to have any chance of a credit card chargeback. The criminals behind fake sites will not respond or refund anyone.
What should I do if a fake DSW site stole my information?
Contact credit bureaus for fraud alerts on your credit files, monitor financial statements for misuse of details, change account passwords, check credit reports frequently, and take preventative identity theft steps. Unfortunately compromised data cannot be fully recovered.
Where can I report fake DSW websites to?
File detailed scam reports with the FBI, FTC, state attorney general, and other enforcement agencies. Consumer complaints aid law enforcement in pursuing fraud rings and stopping repeat offending sites.
The more they understand current scam tactics, the better chance they have at catching crooks.
How can I avoid DSW clearance scams in the future?
Always verify sites extensively before providing payment information or placing orders. Research sellers, compare product photos, read real reviews, and avoid shady sites you’ve never heard of. Pay only through credit card – never direct bank transfer.
Conclusion
In summary, illicit websites promoting fake DSW clearance sales rely on convincing templates, emotional sales tactics and reputable branding to fool shoppers seeking discount designer shoes and accessories. But what appears to be an amazing deal is just a fraudulent platform for stealing money and personal data.
Recognizing their deceptive red flags is key to avoid ending up with nothing but compromised information and funds lost to scammers. Use the knowledge in this guide to see through scam tricks and discern real deals from well-disguised frauds.
Stay vigilant this shopping season and always verify a website’s validity before handing over payment or personal details – no matter how spectacular the discount. Your savvy shopping skills are the best line of defense against increasingly cunning clearance sale scammers. Outsmart them by protecting your money and identity.
