Savvy shoppers know that unbelievable deals promoted online often turn out to be complete scams. One such online shopping scam making the rounds is the “Ariat 3 Pairs For Only $109” offer blasted out via social media ads and emails. This scam leverages the Ariat brand to lure victims to phony websites that steal personal and financial information.
This article will peel back the layers on how this insidious scam works, who is orchestrating it, common red flags to spot it, and most crucially, how to avoid getting ripped off. Every online shopper should understand this growing threat targeting their data through compelling ads and sophisticated fake websites.
An In-Depth Exposé of the Elaborate Ariat 3 for $109 Scam
The scam typically starts with digital advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and spam emails promoting an unbelievable offer of 3 pairs of Ariat boots for only $109. The ads urge users to click through to purchase this deal.
However, the linked website has absolutely no association with the legitimate Ariat brand. It is a fake portal designed to phish for users’ personal and financial information. When victims place orders through the scam website, one of the following occurs:
- Receive nothing – The most frequent outcome. Orders go unfulfilled after payments are processed.
- Obtain knock-off or used substitutes – Inferior, fake or secondhand boots may arrive.
- Get completely different items – Random cheap products not matching the order often shipped.
- Payment and personal data is stolen – All information entered on the site is compromised for financial fraud and identity theft.
This rip-off has netted significant illicit profits for the scammers at the expense of unsuspecting online shoppers misled by the ads and convincing fake websites. Read on to understand how to recognize this scam and avoid becoming the next victim.
How the Elaborate Ariat Shopping Scam Unfolds
The cybercriminals running this scam operation have established an intricate infrastructure to successfully pull off this ruse at scale. Here is an inside look at how the scam unfolds:
Step 1: Create Convincing Fake Ariat Website
The scammers develop a spoof Ariat ecommerce website advertising the 3 pairs for $109 limited time deal. The site uses stolen Ariat branding and images to appear authentic.
Step 2: Blast Social Media Ads
Eye-catching advertisements strongly promoting the must-buy 3 for $109 boot deal are created and distributed via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other channels using engagement-based targeting.
Step 3: Redirect Victims to the Fake Site
When social media users click on these compelling ads, they are sent to the sophisticated fake website dressed up just like the real Ariat site with order urgency cues.
Step 4: Harvest User Data During Checkout
As unsuspecting shoppers enter their payment and personal info to purchase the promoted deal, the criminals capture the data to commit identity theft and payment fraud.
Step 5: Defraud Victims & Resell Their Data
The scammers have no intent on fulfilling orders. Instead, they defraud users by selling their stolen data on dark web marketplaces to other cybercriminal groups.
This highly refined process allows the scam ring to dupe countless social media users into handing over valuable personal and financial data through this fake shopping website promotion.
Who is Behind the Elaborate Ariat Online Shopping Scam?
These types of slickly designed retail and ecommerce scams predominantly originate from organized cybercriminal enterprises based overseas, according to cybersecurity researchers. They operate vast networks of fake storefronts, payment processing channels, shipping operations and technical infrastructure to deploy their scams globally.
The level of coordination required to operate these online shopping scams allows the gangs behind them to inflict major damage to consumers and retailers. These groups have deep capabilities they leverage to rip off consumers including:
- Technical experts to build and manage networks of highly convincing fake ecommerce sites impersonating trusted brands.
- Digital marketing teams to create compelling social media ads optimized to target and lure deal-seeking consumers.
- Merchant account providers to accept online credit card payments on the scam sites.
- Affiliates to resell the stolen personal and payment data.
- Overseas shipping contacts to mail cheap, random items to a small subset of victims to avoid detection.
- Regularly securing new hosting, domains, website templates and servers to evolve their tactics.
The capabilities of these fraudulent networks allow them to operate slick shopping scams on a large scale without being detected.
6 Telltale Signs of the Fake Ariat Shopping Websites
While these scam networks go to great lengths to replicate legitimate online retailers, their fake Ariat ecommerce sites still exhibit revealing signs upon closer inspection. Here are 6 clear indicators that an Ariat website is a total scam:
1. Prices That Are Too Good to Be True
When deals seem unrealistic, like 3 pairs of boots for $109, it should immediately raise suspicions.
2. Domain Names Are Slightly Altered
Scam sites will often use subtle domain variations like “Ariats” or “AriatOutlet” instead of just ariat.com.
3. Logos and Branding Appear Inconsistent
Fakes may recycle old logos and use lower-resolution images that don’t match the official branding.
4. Recently Created Website
A quick WHOIS lookup reveals many scam sites were only recently registered, not longstanding legitimate stores.
5. No Working Customer Service Number
The site lacks a legitimate working customer service number, only dubious email addresses.
6. Poor Grammar and Spelling
Sloppy text with obvious grammar and spelling mistakes are prevalent on scam sites.
Watching for these 6 warning signs makes it far easier to discern fake Ariat websites from the real retailer.
How to Identify This Scam on Facebook
Facebook is one of the main platforms scammers use to promote the Ariat deal scam ads and dupe users. Here are tips to spot the sham Ariat ads on Facebook:
- Watch for too-good-to-be-true prices like 3 pairs of boots for $109 that should raise red flags.
- Check the destination url – Click on the small “Facebook Ad” link to preview the site you’ll be directed to. Fake sites have slightly altered domains.
- Look for incorrect branding – Scam ads may use an outdated logo or images that don’t match the official Ariat branding.
- Research the ad buyer – Click on the Facebook Page name sponsoring the ad and look for indicators it’s an illegitimate page.
- Monitor for scam warnings – Check comments on the Facebook ad or posts for reports of the promotion being a fraudulent website.
- Evaluate page history – Ad sponsor pages that were just created recently should be viewed as untrustworthy.
Combining healthy skepticism with these tips when reviewing Facebook ads can help identify and avoid online shopping scams impersonating brands like Ariat.
What to Do if You Ordered From a Fake Ariat Website
If you mistakenly placed an order through one of the fraudulent Ariat websites, take these steps immediately:
- Contact your bank to contest any charges as unauthorized. Halt any pending payments.
- Closely monitor statements and credit reports for further suspicious charges or accounts opened without permission.
- Consider changing passwords on online shopping, social media, and email accounts to boost security.
- Submit complaints regarding the scam to the FTC, FBI, BBB, social media platforms, and other relevant authorities. Provide as many details as possible.
- For credit card payments, request a chargeback to potentially reverse the charges and recover lost funds.
- Contact your card provider to update payment information and be issued a new card number to prevent additional misuse.
- Review all social media, email, and other accounts’ privacy settings to limit exposure of any personal data that may have been compromised.
Taking swift action can help victims contain the damage inflicted by fake online shopping scams promoting unbelievable deals.
How to Avoid Falling Victim to Ripoff Ariat Websites
Savvy online shoppers must stay on high alert against fake retailer websites using social media ads and extreme discounts to bait victims. Here are some tips for avoiding these shopping scams:
- Heavily scrutinize social media ads promoting unreasonable deals and discounts. If it seems too good to be true, it is.
- Beware of clicking on social media shopping ads. Navigate directly to a retailer’s official website for deals.
- Research unfamiliar stores thoroughly before providing any personal or financial information.
- Triple check site domains – subtle variations like “ariatzone” indicate a scam.
- Conduct online searches for the website name plus words like “scam” or “fake” to uncover warnings.
- Verify legitimacy by reviewing sites’ policies, contact info, reviews, and social media presence.
- Stick to official websites of retailers you know and trust when shopping online.
Exercising caution and verifying legitimacy before providing information helps consumers avoid being ripped off by scammy shopping websites.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ariat 3 for $109 Scam
What is the Ariat 3 pairs for $109 scam?
This is a fraudulent shopping website scam promoted through online ads offering 3 pairs of Ariat boots for only $109. However, it has no association with the real Ariat company.
How does the scam work?
Scammers create fake websites using the Ariat name and run ads offering unrealistic deals. Victims that purchase through the scam site have their data stolen without receiving any actual order.
What are some red flags of the fraudulent sites?
Suspicious signs include the too good to be true low price, slightly altered domain, grammatical errors, mismatched branding, missing contact info, recently created site, and more.
What should I do if I already ordered through a scam site?
Immediately contact your bank to halt charges, monitor for identity theft, change account passwords, and submit complaints regarding the fraud to authorities.
How can I avoid these shopping scams?
Stick to the real Ariat website, heavily scrutinize unreasonable deals, research unknown sites before providing info, watch for warning signs, and always use credit cards for purchases.
Can I get my money back if scammed?
If you paid by credit card you can request a chargeback. Debit card transactions are very difficult to recover. The faster you report unauthorized charges, the better.
Are other brands used for similar scams?
Yes, scammers also create fake websites posing as Nike, Adidas, Ugg, Timberland, Ray-Ban and other major brands. Always verify legitimacy.
This FAQ presents quick facts and guidance about recognizing and preventing this prevalent social media and email shopping scam. Following these tips can help online shoppers avoid becoming victims.
The Bottom Line
The fake Ariat 3 for $109 deal serves as a harsh reminder that unbelievable discounts promoted through social media ads and emails should always be met with skepticism. Savvy shoppers must stay vigilant against sophisticated ruses like this crafted to steal personal data and money.
By understanding common online shopping scam techniques and heeding the recommendations provided in this article, consumers can avoid becoming victims. Always thoroughly verify unfamiliar websites, check for subtle domain alterations, research unrealistic deals, and stick to trusted retailers’ official sites. Stay safe online by following these tips to keep your information secure and prevent criminal scammers from accessing your accounts.
