If you’ve been on Facebook lately, you may have seen ads for major supermarkets holding huge clearance sales for closing locations with discounts up to 90% off. Despite the appealing deals, these Store Closing Supermarket Clearance scams aim to trick social media users out of their money.
This guide will uncover the deceptive tactics used in this scam, how to detect their tricks, and most crucially, how to avoid getting ripped off by fake supermarket closing sales online.
Store Closing Supermarket Clearance Scam Overview
The Store Closing Supermarket Clearance scam employs deceptive social media ads and convincing fake supermarket websites to defraud victims. Scammers set up online storefronts posing as real grocery chains liquidating stock before shutting down locations.
In reality, these sites are elaborate facades built to scam users who think they’re getting unbelievable deals on supermarket products. After checkout, customers never receive any items ordered. The “stores” quickly disappear, preventing victims from pursuing refunds.
Some common traits exposing these closing sales as scams include:
- Website domain registered right before launch of the fake “sale”
- No indication of actual supermarket locations supposedly closing
- ” Markdowns up to 90% off and more!” on all products
- Limited purchase windows with countdown timers
- Only contact via email, no working phone number
- Brand logos appear slightly altered
- No social media beyond the temporary scam ads
With no physical stores, valid contact info, or permanent web presence, these scam grocers essentially vanish after collecting payments. The convincing store templates and targeted ads enable an intricate fraud scamming deal-seeking customers.
How the Store Closing Supermarket Clearance Scam Works
The supermarket clearance scam starts with enticing social media ads proclaiming a major grocery chain is shutting down locations, with huge markdowns on their entire inventory in stock. Time is running out to get the deals according to the ads.
When users click through to the supermarket’s website, the polished site looks very convincing, featuring sections like Produce, Meat, Dairy, Frozen Goods, Snacks, Beverages and more. Everything appears discounted 70-90% off normal prices.
No indication appears stating which physical store locations are actually closing down. And despite the talk of massive inventory clearouts, there’s no option for in-store pickup.
The website pressures customers to buy quickly before stock sells out. Countdown timers and dwindling inventory claims create false urgency. Contact is only available via email should issues arise.
After checkout, no order confirmations or shipping details get sent. The website becomes unreachable soon after and emails go unreturned. No food products ever ship out, but victims’ payment details were already stolen during purchase.
In some cases, victims report eventually receiving random, cheap grocery items that differ significantly from what was ordered. Most users get nothing. Refund requests go unanswered with the sites deactivated after the “limited-time” sale concludes.
The few who paid by credit card can potentially dispute the charges as fraudulent. But most victims have no option beyond absorbing the loss, unable to even identify the nameless scammers behind fake closing supermarket sales.
How to Spot the Store Closing Supermarket Clearance Scam Websites
While scam sites appear convincing at first glance, several red flags can help identify their fraudulent nature:
Check for a Legitimate Domain Name and Company Details
- Fake sites often have domain names with odd spellings, extra words or use popular brand names. Search the company name online to confirm they are real.
- Check that a physical business address, working customer service phone/email are provided. Lack of real contact details indicates a shady seller.
Look for Overly Good-to-Be-True Deals
- Scam websites lure customers by advertising extravagant discounts of 50-90% off or deals well below market prices. Real businesses cannot sustain such heavy losses. If the deal looks too good to be true, it likely is.
Verify Company Reputation
- Search the website, business name and owner names online for any negative reviews or scam reports. Check with BBB, TrustPilot and complaint forums to see their reputation.
- No social media presence and zero signs of real customer activity on review sites signal likely frauds.
Analyze Site Security and Payment Options
- Ensure sites connect with SSL encryption and have guaranteed refund policies. Unsecured sites should not handle payments or sensitive data.
- Scam websites tend to only take irreversible payments like wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency and avoid credit cards with stronger fraud protections.
Spot grammar errors, plagiarized policies, limited products
- Fake sites lack effort invested into proper grammar and original legal policy writing seen on established businesses.
- Very limited product selections avoiding common best-selling items categories also indicates pop-up scams.
Carefully applying these warning signs allows shoppers to expose scam retail fronts seeking solely to exploit rather than serve legitimate customer bases built on accountability and trust.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
In tandem with operating entirely fake e-commerce storefronts, retail scam websites heavily leverage sponsored social media ads promoting unbelievable yet highly compelling deals up to 90% off across product ranges in attempts to lure target audiences.
Highly deceptive posts explicitly screaming too-good-to-be-true price cuts frequently overrun Facebook feeds, Instagram stories and TikTok streams with aims of deceiving deal-seeking shoppers. However, certain patterns across these advertisements expose their underlying deceitful intentions.
Spotting Fraudulent Facebook Ads
Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals in Facebook ads like “90% off” or “Free Shipping” that entice people to shop. Scammers know how lucrative Facebook’s 2 billion users can be. Warning signs of a scam Facebook shopping ad:
- Extreme discounts such as “Store Closing Sale” or “Going out of Business” that seem suspicious for a newly created page. Legitimate businesses usually don’t heavily discount new inventory.
- Language and grammatical errors or inconsistencies throughout the ad or website. This signals the scammers likely quickly generated the content.
- Generic stock images of products rather than real images. Or images with watermarks that the scammer likely didn’t have rights to use.
- Very recent Page creation date shown under the Page name. Scam sites don’t last long before users report them or Facebook removes them.
If an ad or Page sets off warning bells, search for reviews of the website before purchasing. Or reverse image search any product photos to see if they were stolen from another site. Don’t support scammers taking advantage of Facebook users.
Spotting Fraudulent Instagram Ads
Scam online shopping sites try luring Instagram users with attention-grabbing captions like “Limited Time Offer!” and enticing prices such as “Today Only $39”. But is the Instagram shop legit or a scam? Signs to help determine:
- The account has very few posts and followers. Scams setup disposable accounts that get deleted once reported.
- Check user tags on the posts. If real people aren’t shown wearing or using the products, that’s a major red flag.
- Tap on the shop link in the bio. If there’s no HTTPS or SSL certificate, it’s not secure to enter payment information.
- Reviews seem fake or non-existent. Scam sites don’t have much satisfied customer proof.
- Limited or vague return policy information. Or difficult channels to request a return.
Trust your instinct if an Instagram shop seems fishy. Check independent review sites first before buying through an unknown seller advertising on Instagram. Protect your personal and payment information entering it only on secure sites after verifying legitimacy.
Catching Fake TikTok Ads
Scam TikTok shopping sites try attracting traffic using compelling videos showcasing unbelievable deals. But amazing discounts and prices may bait unsuspecting TikTok users into a scam. Be wary of:
- Links in the caption or videos bringing users to store sites no one’s heard of. Scammers setup temporary sites that won’t be around long.
- No blue checkmark verification badge on the account. This signals TikTok hasn’t authenticated the authenticity of the seller.
- Prices drastically slashed with countdown timers pressuring purchase decisions. Scare tactics rush rational judgement.
- No reviews or evidence showing real customers enjoying the products. Easy with video testimonials to fake satisfaction.
Check comment sections on TikTok scam shopping site videos for warnings from others getting duped. When prices seem too good to be true, they most likely are. Verify legitimacy before handing payment info to unknown sellers promoting on TikTok videos. Your security comes first.
What To Do If You Are A Victim
If you have fallen victim to this scam, you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your money. Here are some steps that you can take:
- Contact your bank immediately – Alert your bank to disputed charges and consider canceling your card to prevent further fraudulent purchases.
- Keep records – Save receipts, emails, screenshots, and any details related to the transaction. This provides proof of the scam.
- File a complaint – Report the fraud to the FTC and Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide any relevant records.
- Leave online reviews – Post details of the scam on consumer review sites to warn others. However, don’t defame legitimate businesses.
- Report social media accounts – If the scam involved social media, report the accounts to get them removed.
- Reverse payments – If you paid with a credit card, request a chargeback. For wire transfers, contact the recipient bank to possibly reverse it.
- Check credit reports – Request credit reports to check for any accounts opened fraudulently using your information. Consider placing a credit freeze if needed.
- Reset account passwords – Change passwords on any online accounts that used the same login credentials entered on the scam site.
- Check your device for viruses – Run a Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free scan to check for any malware that may have infected your device through the site.
- Learn from the situation – Study how you were deceived so you can avoid other scams in the future.
Being vigilant against shopping scams and acting quickly when scammed can help limit financial and identity theft impact. Report it to help authorities investigate and shutdown scam sites that are still active.
Store Closing Supermarket Clearance Scam FAQ
What is the store closing supermarket clearance scam?
It’s a scam where fake ads and sites pretend well-known supermarket chains are closing locations and liquidating inventory at big discounts. But it’s a fraud to steal money.
How does the supermarket clearance scam work?
Scammers use convincing ads and store websites announcing huge closing sales. After customers purchase discounted groceries, no products ever ship out.
What are some red flags of this scam?
Unrealistic discounts like 90% off everything, fake countdown timers, no physical store closing details, new domain names, altered logos, email-only contact.
What happens after I place an order?
Most likely your grocery order will disappear with no confirmation. The site quickly shuts down after the “sale,” preventing refunds.
Can I get a refund if I was scammed?
If you paid by credit card you may be able to dispute the charges for non-receipt of goods. File detailed fraud complaints immediately.
Why do they pretend to be real supermarkets?
To make the liquidation sales appear more legitimate. Established grocery brand names trick users into believing the deals.
Do they ever ship any actual groceries?
In some reports, victims received cheap, random grocery items weeks later that differed from their order. Most customers get nothing.
How can I spot these scams before ordering?
Look for no mention of actual closing locations. Reverse image search product photos. Research site legitimacy and domain age.
Why such huge discounts like 70-90% off?
Massive markdowns create urgency to buy quickly before scrutinizing validity. Huge deals also lure in more potential victims.
How can I avoid becoming a victim in the future?
Carefully research unfamiliar sellers and unrealistic discounts. Avoid direct money transfers with unknown sites.
Conclusion
The Store Closing Supermarket Clearance scam preys on the fear of missing huge liquidation markdowns at favorite grocery chains. But the deep discounts actually mask elaborate shams just trying to steal money through deception.
Carefully researching unbelievable deals, website details, company validity, and avoiding pressure sale tactics is key to not getting scammed. With vigilance, social media users can steer clear of viral supermarket closing scams exploiting those wanting unbeatable grocery deals.
