‘Tis the season for holiday deals, but before you click that tantalizing Balsam Hill “clearance sale” ad promising up to 90% off, stop! Scammers are running rampant this Christmas with convincing fake sales that trick trusting shoppers out of money and leave dreams of a picture-perfect holiday in ashes. Read on to protect yourself from these Grinchy fraudsters impersonating the respected Balsam Hill brand and preying on hopes of gorgeous trees and decor at impossibly low prices.
Don’t let the clever deception lead you down a naughty list of lost funds and stolen Christmas spirit – wise up to how these bah-humbug scams really work.
Overview of the Scam
The respected brand Balsam Hill, known for their high-quality artificial Christmas trees and holiday decorations, is being exploited by scammers running elaborate fake clearance sales. These cybercriminals are deceiving customers with scam websites, social media ads, and other tricks to appear as legitimate Balsam Hill outlets offering deeply discounted items at up to 90% off.
Unsuspecting shoppers are lured in by the promise of getting premium Balsam Hill products for incredible bargain prices. However, these “deals” are completely fraudulent and set up to steal money. After placing orders through these convincing fake sites, customers either receive nothing, shoddy products that in no way match the advertised item, or at best, cheap, low-quality items.
These scam websites expertly impersonate Balsam Hill down to using the trademarked logo, product imagery, and content taken directly from the real BalsamHill.com website. Prices are set absurdly low, like offering a 9-foot pre-lit Evergleam tree for $39 or a 24-inch artisanal wreath for $9.99.
Without closer inspection, these scam sites look remarkably authentic and give no indication anything is amiss. The deception does not come to light until customers attempt to get order confirmations, shipping updates, or refunds on undelivered items. At that point, the fake contact information and lack of customer service reveals the truth behind the scam.
Balsam Hill shoppers must be vigilant this holiday season, as these clearance sale scams are proliferating online and through social platforms. Ads promoting the fake sales are being placed on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, optimized to target users who have previously browsed for Christmas trees and decor.
These social media ads include tantalizing images of Balsam Hill’s signature frosted branch tips on full evergreen trees and holiday wreaths. Headlines boast “Christmas Sale! Up to 90% Off” or “60-80% Off All Inventory – For Immediate Clearance”. The goal is convincing holiday shoppers they are getting once-in-a-lifetime savings on premium decorations.
Clicking these social media ads leads users down the deceitful path to elaborate scam websites that fully impersonate Balsam Hill. They steal the company’s photographs, content, fonts, and overall website design to make the sites appear as legitimate online Balsam Hill stores.
Domain names are made to sound like official URLs with subtle misspellings or alternate words. Examples include BalsamHill-OutletStore.com, ChristmasClearanceSales.com, BalsamHills-Christmas.co, and BalsamHillCloseouts.net.
These fake sites have flawless catalogs with beautiful imagery and descriptions for Balsam Hill’s complete line of artificial trees, wreaths, garlands, and ornaments. All prices reflect absurd discounts, like a 7.5ft pre-lit tree for $29 or a decorative 24in wreath for $9.99.
The deception goes as far as letting shoppers add items to their cart, proceed through checkout, and enter payment information. However, the scam comes to light when confirmations and shipping info are never sent. Customer service is non-existent and refunds are refused.
In fewer cases, victims do receive shipments after ordering from the fake clearance sales. But the products are never as advertised, instead sending cheap plastic trees, dollar store wreaths, used items, or random junk like sunglasses.
Balsam Hill warns customers the only legitimate website for purchases is BalsamHill.com. They advise extreme caution when seeing deals elsewhere online, as clever scammers are out in full force this holiday season promoting fake clearance sales and impersonating the Balsam Hill brand. Don’t let dreams of gorgeous Christmas decor at incredible prices blind you to these despicable scams.
How the Balsam Hill Clearance Sale Scam Works
The cybercriminals behind this scam are sophisticated in their methods. Here is an in-depth look at how they operate:
1. Scam Ads on Social Media
The scam begins with fake social media advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. These ads promote clearance sales on Balsam Hill products with prices slashed up to 90% off. The ads are designed to look exactly like a legitimate Balsam Hill promotion. Images of beautiful Christmas trees and wreaths entice viewers to click for more information.
2. Fake But Convincing Websites
Clicking these social media ads leads to elaborate scam websites that fully impersonate Balsam Hill. These sites use the Balsam Hill logo, fonts, product images, and content stolen directly from BalsamHill.com. To an unknowing customer, the website appears to be the real thing.
The sites have domain names designed to sound like Balsam Hill, often using misspellings or alternate words. For example:
- BalsamHillsChristmas.com
- BalsamHillOutletStore.com
- BalsamHillClearance.co
These sites list an incredible selection of Balsam Hill trees, wreaths, garlands, and other Christmas decor at absurdly low prices. A 9-foot pre-lit tree may be listed at $39, while a 24-inch wreath is $9.99. The scam is now fully set up to hook victims.
3. Fake Shopping Experience
Customers can go through the whole shopping experience, adding items to a cart and proceeding to checkout. The site asks for all the normal purchase details: name, shipping address, email, and importantly, payment information.
Visitors may notice the checkout process is a bit odd. For example, the only payment option is often bank wire transfer or gift cards. Or checkout may fail mysteriously for certain payment methods. This is a clue something fishy is going on behind the scenes.
4. No Order Confirmation or Shipping
After submitting an order, victims will not receive a normal order confirmation email. The scam site provides fake tracking numbers that never update or just disappear. The promised shipping times come and go without any package arriving.
At this point, customers start trying to contact the company to find out where their order is. But the site conveniently has no working customer service phone number. Email addresses on the site will either ignore complaints or bounce back automated replies.
5. No Refunds Issued
Growing suspicious, customers try to cancel orders and get refunds issued. But the fake sites have zero refund policy or ignore refund requests entirely. Any payments made to the scammers are gone for good. Credit card chargebacks may be the only recourse, if paid that way.
6. Receiving Wrong or Low-Quality Items
In rare cases, victims do receive shipments after ordering from these clearance sale scams. However, the products in no way match the original order. Some common shipment bait-and-switch tactics include:
- A cheap plastic tree instead of a high-end Balsam Hill model
- A basic dollar store wreath rather than a custom design
- A random household item like sunglasses or phone case
- Damaged, used, or open-box condition items
Either way, the scammers never deliver what was advertised and ordered. They simply pocket the money and leave customers in the lurch.
How to Spot Balsam Hill Clearance Sale Scams on Social Media
Watch out for Facebook ads promoting unbelievable Balsam Hill deals like 90% off or warehouse clearances. Scam ads will use enticing slogans like “Christmas Blowout Sale!” or “Going Out of Business Sale – Up to 75% Off”. The goal is luring shoppers with dramatic messaging and fake discounts.
Look closely at the ad imagery – scammers often steal product photos directly from BalsamHill.com. You may also see fake AI-generated videos of Christmas trees and decorations made to look like Balsam Hill.
Clicking these Facebook ads leads to shady websites that may look legit, but aren’t actually affiliated with Balsam Hill. Double check the domain name and contact information before entering payment details.
Fraudulent Instagram posts will tag Balsam Hill’s handle @balsamhill to seem real. Captions make outrageous claims like “Store Closing Forever – Everything Must Go!” or “Today Only – Free Shipping on All Orders!”.
The visuals try to hook shoppers with beautiful Christmas tree shots. But again, these are often stolen images that scammers did not produce themselves.
Clicking on these Instagram posts sends users to scammy websites unconnected to Balsam Hill. Do not trust amazing deals promoted through Instagram without further verification.
TikTok
On TikTok, scam Balsam Hill sale promotions use video clips of glittering Christmas trees and decorations rather than static images. But these videos are AI-generated, not real Balsam Hill products.
Watch for TikTok captions like “Last chance for 90% off!” or “Our biggest sale ever ends today!”. Scam hashtags may include #balsamhillsale, #christmassale, #christmasdecor, and #christmastrees.
As always, be skeptical of direct links in TikTok posts steering users to questionable sale websites. Confirm it is the legitimate BalsamHill.com domain before providing any personal or payment information.
The bottom line is social media ads promoting dramatic Balsam Hill sales with unbelievable discounts are almost always scams. Always verify the company’s real website and customer service channels before believing a social ad. And never let FOMO from those flawless Christmas tree pictures allow you to overlook signs of fraud. ‘Tis the season for cybercriminals to go all out with social scams promising joy, but delivering only coal.
How to Identify Fake Balsam Hill Clearance Sale Websites
Be wary of Balsam Hill sale sites using unbelievable slogans like “Christmas Blowout – 90% off Storewide!” or “Warehouse Liquidation Sale – Today Only!”. Scammers bait with dramatic messaging promising once-in-a-lifetime deals.
Check the domain name carefully. Scam sites tend to use slight misspellings or additional words like Balsam-Hill-Christmas.com or BalsamHillHolidayClearance.co.
Recently created domains in 2023 or 2024 should raise suspicions. The official BalsamHill.com has been around for years.
Look for direct theft of content, product descriptions, lifestyle imagery, and other intellectual property from the real BalsamHill.com. Scammers lazily plagiarize.
There will often be a lack of any physical address, customer service phone number, About Us page detailing company history, or leadership team bios. Contact is only via an email address.
Scam sites plead urgency with countdown timers pressuring customers to buy before the “sale” ends. Also beware shipping promises that seem too fast to be true.
No verified trust badges like McAfee SECURE, BBB accreditation, or Norton Shopping Guarantee are present. All legitimate major retailers display security badges.
If the website design looks like an amateur, cookie-cutter template with odd fonts, spacing, or color schemes, that indicates a fraud site.
Always verify clearance sale websites by initiating a chat or contacting Balsam Hill customer support before entering payment information. Also look for recent scam warnings on BalsamHill.com. Don’t let dreams of Christmas cheer lead you to overlook signs of Grinchy scammers!
What to Do if You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you unfortunately placed an order through one of these convincing fake Balsam Hill clearance sale websites, take the following actions to get help:
1. Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider
If you paid via credit card, contact the card issuer immediately to report fraud and request a chargeback. Debit cards and services like PayPal also have fraud protections in place – start the claims process.
For wire transfers or gift cards, it is much harder to recover funds, but still report it. Gather all details and documentation on the transaction to provide.
2. Alert Relevant Authorities
File reports about the scam website, social media accounts, and payment fraud to the following agencies:
- IC3.gov – FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- FTC – Federal Trade Commission
- State attorney general office
Provide all website and payment details. The more victims who report, the more likely authorities can investigate and shut down the scammers.
3. Warn Balsam Hill
Contact Balsam Hill directly to inform them of the scam websites impersonating their brand. Email socialmedia@balsamhill.com with details to help them address the issue. Their real site is BalsamHill.com.
4. Leave Online Reviews
Post reviews about your experience on scam warning sites like Ripoff Report and the Better Business Bureau to alert other potential victims. Submit complaints via Facebook and Twitter on the scam social media accounts.
5. Monitor Your Accounts
Keep close watch on all your financial accounts for signs of further fraud. Scammers may sell or use your personal information for other criminal activity. Change passwords and enable enhanced security settings where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Balsam Hill Clearance Sale Scam
1. How can I tell if a Balsam Hill sale website is fake?
There are several red flags to watch out for. Fake sites often use slightly altered domain names, like adding extra words or misspellings. Prices that seem too good to be true, like 90% off, indicate a scam. Look for a valid contact phone number, physical address, About Us page, and social media links. Scams tend to only have an email address for contact. Finally, look for direct theft of content, images, and branding from BalsamHill.com.
2. Are the ads on Facebook and Instagram real?
Most ads promoting huge Balsam Hill sales or clearance events with prices slashed up to 90% off are scams. Especially around the holidays, fake social media ads try to lure shoppers with beautiful tree images and amazing deals. Always verify the actual website outside of the ad before making a purchase.
3. What happens if I order from a scam website?
If you place an order through a scam site impersonating Balsam Hill, you’ll likely never receive the items you purchased. Or you may eventually get a cheap, poor quality product that doesn’t match your order. Your payment info is at risk as well. Be wary entering credit cards on scam sites.
4. How can I get a refund if I ordered from a scam clearance sale?
Unfortunately the scam sites are not going to willingly issue refunds on fraudulent orders. If you paid by credit card, you can request a chargeback from the card company for services not received. For PayPal payments, file a dispute. Other payment options are high risk on scam sites though, as reversing transactions is difficult.
5. What is Balsam Hill’s return and refund policy?
On the legitimate BalsamHill.com site, returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt, or until Dec 25th – whichever is first. Prepaid return labels can be requested. Refunds are issued once returned items are inspected. Beware scam sites may falsely claim to have policies like this.
6. How can I report a fake Balsam Hill website?
File a scam report with agencies like the FBI IC3, FTC, BBB, and your state attorney general. Provide the website details, name, images, etc. You can also contact Balsam Hill to alert them of websites misusing their brand at socialmedia@balsamhill.com. Posting reviews also warns other potential victims.
7. Are all the deals on social media fake?
Not necessarily, Balsam Hill does occasionally run sales and promotions on its social channels. But offers that seem too good to be true likely are. Double check that ads actually link to BalsamHill.com, and watch for red flags of a scam. When in doubt, reach out to Balsam Hill customer service to ask about sales.
8. Is it safe to buy Balsam Hill products on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace?
Use extreme caution buying from third-party sellers rather than directly from BalsamHill.com or authorized retailers. Ask for multiple photos of the exact item and authenticate before purchasing. Meet in person and inspect items when buying locally through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook.
9. Are other brands running fake clearance sales?
Yes, scammers are also creating fake sale websites impersonating other Christmas tree and decoration brands like National Tree Company, Spring Hill Nurseries, and Evergreen Classics. Shoppers should be wary of unbelievable deals from any company.
10. How can I safely shop Balsam Hill real sales and clearance events?
Always start your shopping directly at BalsamHill.com rather than clicking external ads. Create an account to manage purchases and communicate with real support staff. You can also join the Balsam Hill email list to get notifications of actual sales and clearance events directly from the company.
The Bottom Line
The Balsam Hill clearance sale scam delivers nothing but grief to trusting holiday shoppers lured in by seemingly unbelievable prices. These sophisticated fraud websites and social media ads convincingly impersonate the real company. Always exercise extreme caution whensales seem too good to be true. Stick to the authentic BalsamHill.com website and local stores for your Christmas tree and decoration purchases. Being an informed consumer is your best defense against online scammers looking to steal Christmas cheer and hard-earned money.
