A flood of fake websites is targeting shoppers with unbelievable claims such as “Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale 90% Off” and “Clearance Kayaks for $39.” These ads look real, the stores look professional, and the prices appear like once-in-a-lifetime deals. However, none of it is genuine. A growing network of scam sites, including domains like sportinggoodsoutlets.live, are impersonating the real Dick’s Sporting Goods brand to steal money, credit card data, and personal information. If you found one of these ads online, here is the detailed truth behind the operation and how to protect yourself.
Scam Overview
The so-called “Dick’s Sporting Goods 90% Off Sale” has become one of the most widespread retail impersonation scams across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube ads, TikTok ads, and Google search results. Fraudsters set up websites that perfectly mimic the real company but offer products at unrealistic discounts: fishing kayaks for $49 instead of $599, treadmills for $42 instead of $899, UGG boots for $19 instead of $160, and similar bait items used to lure optimistic shoppers.
These fake stores often use names and logos resembling the brand, such as:
- sportinggoodsoutlets.live
- dicks-clearance.shop
- dicks-warehouse-outlet.online
- sportinggoods-store.shop
- dicks-sale-warehouse.com
- warehouse-sporting.shop
The fraudulent website shown in the screenshot (sportinggoodsoutlets.live) uses the Dick’s Sporting Goods logo without permission, displays counterfeit product photos, and lists expensive items such as kayaks, camping gear, or fishing equipment at prices like:
- $41.08 for an Old Town Sportsman PDL kayak normally worth $2,599
- €41.08 for a boat worth €1,200+
- $29.99 for premium fishing gear normally $250+
These dramatic discounts are designed to override your skepticism by presenting a “limited clearance sale,” “warehouse moving event,” or “store closing promotion.” Scammers rely on pressure tactics like Only 3 Left, Last Day, Up to 90% Off, and countdown timers to make victims act fast rather than think critically.
Why these sites look so convincing
Fraudsters build professional-looking storefronts using:
- stolen product images from the real Dick’s Sporting Goods
- AI models to generate banners, ads, and customer service messages
- fake trust badges
- cloned page layouts from the legitimate brand
- artificially inflated reviews and ratings
- copied About Us pages from unrelated corporations
- checkout pages designed to mimic secure payment gateways
These scam sites usually operate for 2–6 weeks until payment processors shut them down, then re-emerge under new domains with minor variations in spelling or layout.
Red flags found on sportinggoodsoutlets.live
A detailed examination reveals dozens of scam indicators:
- Massive discounts not found anywhere else, including well-known items discounted by 70–95 percent.
- No genuine company contact information, only disposable Gmail addresses or fake support forms.
- Recently registered domain, typically less than 60 days old.
- Hosted on cheap offshore servers, often in China or Russia.
- Fake About Us section, often copied from the real Dick’s Sporting Goods corporate page or from other random retailers.
- Non-functional customer reviews, sometimes filled with AI-generated text.
- No valid return address, or a warehouse address belonging to a random home or unrelated business.
- Checkout forces you to pay before shipping cost is even visible.
- Currency switching, showing $, €, or £ depending on your location to appear international and legitimate.
- No social media pages, or links that lead nowhere.
Together, these signs prove the store is not affiliated with Dick’s Sporting Goods in any way.
What victims typically receive
Reports show customers receive:
- nothing at all
- a cheap plastic keychain instead of a kayak
- a pair of low-quality socks instead of UGG boots
- counterfeit clothing
- a random product from China
- tracking numbers that never update
If you try to get a refund, scammers stop responding or claim you must ship the item back to China at your own cost, which makes refunds impossible.
How The Scam Works
The Dick’s Sporting Goods 90% Off Scam follows a structured pattern designed to maximize conversions and profit while staying online long enough to trap thousands of shoppers before disappearing.
Step 1: Scammers publish sponsored ads on social platforms
Fraudsters buy paid ads on:
- TikTok
- Google Display Network
- YouTube
The ads show extremely convincing banners like:
- “Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Blowout Sale – Up to 90% Off”
- “Kayaks Clearance – Only $41 Today”
- “Going Out of Business Event – Last Chance”
- “Final Day: 90% Off Outdoor Gear”
The ads include professional photography stolen from Dick’s Sporting Goods marketing campaigns. Many feature real customers from brand catalogs, which makes the ad appear official.
Step 2: Users click the ad and land on a fake online shop
The fake store appears almost identical to the real Dick’s Sporting Goods website. Scammers use Shopify clones or WordPress templates intentionally built for scam operations.
The website will contain:
- stolen product backgrounds
- stolen descriptions
- fake return policy
- empty privacy policy
- fake SSL icons
- fake countdown timers
- fake slider banners
The site also automatically adjusts currency, showing $ for US users and € for EU users.
Step 3: Prices are so low that customers believe it must be a special liquidation
Items normally priced at:
- $1,200
- $900
- $799
- €600
- £450
suddenly appear for:
- $38
- €41
- £35
The extreme price difference is used to activate urgency and greed.
Step 4: Checkout collects personal + financial information
Victims input:
- name
- address
- phone number
- credit or debit card
- sometimes passport or driver’s license depending on “verification”
This allows the scammers to:
- charge more than the displayed price
- charge repeatedly
- sell the data to identity-theft networks
- attempt unauthorized online purchases
Step 5: Fake order confirmations are sent
Victims receive an order confirmation email containing:
- a random order number
- fake shipping promises
- fake tracking links
- customer service contacts that never respond
Step 6: Package never arrives or you receive a cheap worthless item
If anything arrives, it is usually:
- a $2 keychain
- a pair of thin socks
- a child-sized imitation accessory
- a random item worth less than $1
This is done so scammers can argue that “order was delivered” and refuse refunds.
Step 7: Scammers vanish and reopen under a new domain
Once too many complaints accumulate, scammers:
- delete the site
- register a new domain within hours
- re-upload the same design
- recycle the same ads and products
This cycle repeats endlessly.
What to Do if You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you purchased from sportinggoodsoutlets.live or another fake Dick’s Sporting Goods discount site, here are the steps you must take:
1. Contact your bank or card issuer immediately
Explain that:
- You purchased from a fraudulent merchant
- The website impersonated Dick’s Sporting Goods
- You did not receive the goods you paid for
Request:
- a chargeback
- blocking of future charges
- a new card number
2. If you paid with PayPal, open a dispute
Select:
- Item Not Received
or - Significantly Not as Described
PayPal often refunds victims of scam stores.
3. Report the website to your country’s consumer protection agency
Useful agencies include:
- US: FTC.gov
- EU: ConsumerProtection.eu
- UK: Action Fraud
- Canada: CAFC (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)
- Australia: Scamwatch.gov.au
4. Change your passwords, especially if reused
Scammers sometimes attempt login attacks using stolen emails.
5. Watch your bank statements for the next 90 days
Fraudulent merchants often attempt additional charges.
6. Report the fake site to the hosting company
You can check hosting details via:
- whois.domaintools.com
- who.is
Reporting the domain may help shut it down faster.
7. Warn others
Post on:
- TrustPilot
- Scam-reporting sites
This helps prevent further victims.
How to Spot Fake Dick’s Sporting Goods Sale Ads and Scam Websites
Identifying the Dick’s Sporting Goods 90% Off Sale Scam begins with understanding the patterns scammers consistently use across social media, search ads, and fake storefronts. These fraudulent pages follow a predictable structure because it works. If you know what to look for, you can recognize them instantly and avoid becoming a victim.
1. Unrealistic Discounts (70%–90% Off High-Value Gear)
The biggest warning sign is the pricing. Scammers promote:
- kayaks for $39 or $41
- fishing equipment for $25
- outdoor jackets for $19
- premium brands for €29 or £27
Legitimate retailers do not slash the price of $2,000 kayaks or $300 outdoor gear down to $40. Any large, well-known brand offering such discounts is a red flag. These prices only exist to lure victims quickly before they notice inconsistencies.
2. Ads Appear Only on Social Platforms, Not on the Real Website
Scam ads usually appear on:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Google Display banners
You will rarely, if ever, see these “90% Off Warehouse Sales” on the official Dick’s Sporting Goods website. If the sale is real, it will appear on dickssportinggoods.com, not on random domain names.
3. Scam Ads Use Urgency to Force Quick Decisions
The messaging is always aggressive, using phrases like:
- “Last Day!”
- “Warehouse Liquidation!”
- “Final Hours!”
- “Store Closing Forever!”
- “Going Out of Business!”
- “Free Returns Today Only!”
This urgency is designed to prevent you from slowing down and checking whether the website is genuine.
4. The Website URL Looks Suspicious or Unfamiliar
Scam stores rarely use the real domain. Instead, they hide behind URLs like:
- sportinggoodsoutlets.live
- dicks-clearance.shop
- warehouse-dicks.store
- outdoor-mega-sale.shop
- kayakoutlet-discounts.com
If the website is not www.dickssportinggoods.com, it is not legitimate.
Scammers frequently rotate domains, cloning the same store under a new name every few weeks.
5. Recently Registered Websites
Almost all scam domains are less than 1–3 months old.
Use any WHOIS lookup tool to check the domain age.
If the website was created recently but pretends to be a long-established retailer, it is almost certainly a scam.
6. Missing Company Information or Fake Details
Fake stores always lack:
- a real business name
- a registered address
- a real customer service phone number
- legitimate return policies
- actual contact emails
Often the “About Us” page is copied from other scam sites or filled with generic text. If everything sounds vague or strangely familiar, that’s a major red flag.
7. Stolen Images and Product Photos
Scammers copy:
- marketing photos
- catalogs
- lifestyle images
- product descriptions
from the real Dick’s Sporting Goods website. This allows them to set up a convincing storefront even though they have no products to sell. If you drag an image into Google Image Search and it appears on the official Dick’s site, you are looking at an impersonation scam.
8. No Customer Reviews or Fake Five-Star Ratings
Authentic stores have real reviews, whether positive or negative.
Scam websites either have:
- no reviews at all
- one-sentence generic reviews in broken English
- AI-generated comments that seem unrealistic
Search for external reviews on Google. You’ll usually find warnings from other victims.
9. Checkout Page Is Not SECURE
Look for:
- missing HTTPS
- strange payment processors
- forms that request unnecessary personal info
- credit card fields from unknown third parties
Many scam pages do not even mask your payment info properly.
10. The Website Displays Multiple Currencies Automatically ($, €, £)
Scam stores auto-switch currency based on the visitor’s location.
They do this to target:
- US shoppers with $
- EU shoppers with €
- UK shoppers with £
Seeing mixed or inconsistent currencies across the website is a hallmark of copy-paste scam templates.
11. No Tracking, Fake Tracking Numbers, or Tracking That Never Updates
If you order from these sites:
- you receive a meaningless tracking number
- tracking shows “label created” forever
- the supposed shipping company is not real
- the website asks for more money for “customs”
These are all signs of an organized operation designed to avoid refunds.
12. Ads Lead Directly to a Fake Store Without Letting You Browse the Real Brand
Normal retailers advertise a wide range of items or direct users to the main homepage.
Scam ads link to:
- one single landing page
- a flashing banner
- a fake warehouse clearance section
This is because scammers want to funnel traffic into a ready-made sales trap.
FAQ
What is the Dick’s Sporting Goods 90% Off Sale Scam?
It is an online retail impersonation scam where fraudulent websites pretend to be Dick’s Sporting Goods and advertise unrealistic discounts such as 70%–90% off kayaks, outdoor gear, footwear, fishing equipment, and clothing. These sites mimic the brand’s layout, logos, and product photos to make you believe you are shopping at the real store. In reality, they are designed to steal money, personal data, and credit card information. Most victims either receive nothing, get a cheap item worth less than $2, or never hear from the seller again.
Are websites like sportinggoodsoutlets.live legitimate?
No. Websites such as sportinggoodsoutlets.live and similar domains are scam stores that have no connection to Dick’s Sporting Goods. They use stolen images, fake company details, recently registered domains, and massive discounts that are not offered by any legitimate retailer. These stores exist only to collect payments and personal information before disappearing.
Why do these scam sites use massive discounts like 80% or 90% off?
The goal is psychological manipulation. Scammers rely on extreme discounts to create urgency and override common sense. When you see a kayak normally worth $2,000 listed for $41.08 or €41.08, it triggers fear of missing out. The entire operation depends on shoppers acting fast before they notice the red flags.
How can I tell if a Dick’s Sporting Goods sale ad is fake?
If you see an ad offering 80%–90% off high-value outdoor gear, it is almost certainly fake. Real retailers do not sell brand-new kayaks, camping equipment, or premium sporting goods for $29, $39, or €41. Also check the website address carefully. If it does not begin with dickssportinggoods.com and instead contains words like “warehouse,” “outlet,” “clearance,” “deals,” or unfamiliar domains, you are likely dealing with a scam.
Why do these scam stores show prices in both $ and €?
Scammers target multiple regions simultaneously. Their websites automatically switch currency based on your location. This makes the store appear international and trustworthy, but the purpose is to steal from both US and EU customers. The currency change is purely cosmetic; the operation behind the scenes is the same.
What happens after I place an order on one of these fake sites?
Victims typically report the following patterns:
- You receive a fake email confirmation and a meaningless tracking number.
- Your card is charged immediately, sometimes for more than the shown price.
- The store stops responding to emails or customer inquiries.
- No product ever arrives, or a worthless item is sent to avoid refunds.
- Additional unauthorized charges may appear on your card.
These actions clearly indicate organized fraud.
Does Dick’s Sporting Goods ever run 90% off sales?
No. Dick’s Sporting Goods does not run extreme clearance events offering 70%–90% off premium outdoor equipment. While seasonal promotions exist, legitimate discounts are reasonable and can always be verified on the official website: www.dickssportinggoods.com. Anything beyond that is a scam.
Can my personal information be misused after ordering from a scam site?
Yes. When you enter your address, phone number, email, and credit card details into a fraudulent checkout page, scammers can:
- attempt new unauthorized payments
- sell your data to identity-theft networks
- sign you up for additional scam campaigns
- attempt account login attacks if you reuse passwords
This is why taking immediate action is crucial.
Is there any way to get my money back after being scammed?
Most victims can recover their money if they act quickly. Contact your bank or card issuer and request a chargeback due to fraud. If you paid with PayPal, open a dispute and select “Item Not Received” or “Significantly Not as Described.” Provide screenshots of the fake website and your order confirmation to support your claim.
Should I report the scam website to authorities?
Yes. Reporting helps shut down the fraudulent domain faster. You can report the site to:
- FTC (United States)
- Action Fraud (UK)
- Scamwatch (Australia)
- Your country’s consumer protection agency
Also report the ads to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Google if you saw them there. The more reports they receive, the sooner the ads are blocked.
Why do these scam websites keep reappearing under new names?
Scammers frequently register new domains every few weeks because payment processors, hosting providers, and advertising platforms eventually shut down each site. To continue stealing money, they simply duplicate the website, change the domain name, and launch new ads. This is why awareness and public reporting are essential.
What should I do if I suspect a Dick’s Sporting Goods sale website is fake?
Use this checklist:
- Check the URL. If it is not dickssportinggoods.com, do not buy.
- Search for reviews on Google. Scam domains usually have warnings.
- Look for unrealistic prices like $39, €41, or £35 for high-value items.
- Verify the domain age using a WHOIS lookup.
- Check whether customer service and return policies appear genuine.
When in doubt, avoid purchasing anything.
Why do scam Facebook ads look so real?
Scammers use stolen promotional photos, professionally edited banners, and AI-powered ad creation tools. They purchase cheap ad placements in countries with high user engagement. Meta’s automated review systems cannot detect every impersonation attempt. This allows fake Dick’s Sporting Goods ads to spread rapidly before they are removed.
What products are most commonly used in the Dick’s Sporting Goods scam?
Scammers typically use items that are:
- expensive
- highly desirable
- easy to resell
- associated with outdoor sports
Common bait products include:
- kayaks and pedal kayaks
- camping gear
- fishing equipment
- branded footwear
- outdoor clothing
- inflatable boats
When these are advertised for $29–$59, it is always a scam.
Can Google Search ads also be fake?
Yes. Many victims report seeing sponsored Google ads for fake clearance stores. Although Google removes violating ads once reported, scammers sometimes pass initial filters by using new domains, cloned pages, and generic business names. Always check the URL carefully before clicking.
Is it safe to enter my email on these scam sites?
No. Entering your email can expose you to future phishing attempts, malware links, fake tracking messages, and deceptive refund scams. Scammers often resell stolen email addresses to other fraud groups.
The Bottom Line
The “Dick’s Sporting Goods 90% Off Sale” circulating online is a sophisticated impersonation scam designed to steal money and personal data. Websites such as sportinggoodsoutlets.live are not affiliated with the real company and should be avoided at all costs. The discounts advertised online are impossible, the products are counterfeit or nonexistent, and victims rarely receive refunds.
Always remember:
Legitimate retailers do not sell high-value kayaks, outdoor gear, footwear, or apparel for $29, $39, or €41. When a deal looks too good to be true, it always is.
If you encountered one of these sites, report it, warn others, and stay alert. Scammers rely on speed and deception, but informed shoppers can shut down their operation simply by refusing to fall for the bait.
