A fraudulent Brooks Clearance Sale promotion spreading on social media has been duping shoppers into providing payment and personal data to fake websites. But the viral ads and deals are completely fabricated. This comprehensive guide will uncover how this scam works and provide advice to shop safely online.
Overview of the Fake Brooks Clearance Sale Scam
In recent months, sponsored advertisements on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have promoted an incredible Brooks Clearance Sale with extreme discounts up to 80% off. However, Brooks Sports has confirmed no such authorized clearance sale or promotion exists.
These viral social media ads are a complete scam orchestrated by cybercriminals aiming to profit by spreading fake deals, stealing user data, and defrauding consumers through fraudulent websites.
When users click on the compelling ads boasting deep Brooks discounts, they get redirected to convincing but fake e-commerce sites impersonating the real Brooks website. These scam websites proceed to rip off victims by:
- Charging cards for orders that never ship out
- Sending poor quality knockoffs instead of genuine products
- Shipping used, damaged or tampered goods
- Sending random cheap products unrelated to orders
In addition to scamming users out of money, the fake sites also harvest personal and financial data during checkout, including names, addresses, credit cards, phone numbers, and email addresses. This leaves customers at huge risk of identity theft on top of losing funds to the scam.
Meanwhile, the scam call centers disappear after successfully processing fraudulent payments. Brooks has disavowed any connection to these deceitful websites wrongly using their brand identity to lure and defraud customers.
How the Fake Brooks Clearance Sale Scam Works
Here is an in-depth look at how the cybercriminals operate this scam from start to finish:
Step 1. Scammers Create Fake Brooks Ads
The first step is creating convincing sponsored ads touting a huge Brooks clearance sale. The ads get posted on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and elsewhere claiming markdowns up to 80% off or more.
The ads showcase the Brooks logo and product imagery without their permission to mislead viewers into thinking the sale is real. But the promotions are completely fabricated.
By advertising irresistible discounts on coveted Brooks running shoes and apparel, they aim to entice customers into clicking. But it’s only a trap.
Step 2. Shoppers See the Ads on Social Media
As the fraudulent ads spread across various social platforms where the scammers pay to promote them, they pique the interest of deal-seeking online shoppers.
At first glance, the ads appear legit, falsely affiliating themselves with the Brooks brand. To the average viewer casually browsing, the sale seems credible and compelling.
Seeing Brooks gear deeply discounted triggers many users to click out of a desire to take advantage of huge savings. But it’s only a ruse orchestrated by scammers.
Step 3. Users Get Funneled to Scam Websites
When an interested user clicks on one of the fraudulent social media ads for the Brooks clearance sale, they get redirected to a fake e-commerce website.
These scam sites closely imitate the real Brooks website design by stealing logos, product photos, branding and more. However, red flags like the URL and prices reveal it’s an imposter site.
The scammers operate entire networks of these types of fraudulent retail websites to funnel traffic from their bogus ads and ensnare victims.
Step 4. Shoppers Place Orders on the Fake Sites
On the imitation site, customers browse seemingly accurate products just at absurdly discounted prices. Deceived by the scam, many will add items to their cart and enter payment details.
In reality, no authorized clearance sale is happening and no merchandise is being sold. But the professional-looking fake sites have succeeded in stealing user payments and information.
After submitting orders, victims receive emails thanking them for their purchase. But nothing actually ships out from these fraudulent domains.
Step 5. Scammers Steal Users’ Money and Data
During checkout on the imitation sites, unsuspecting shoppers enter their address, credit card information, email, phone number and other personal data.
The criminals operating the sites steal this sensitive information to use in other fraud schemes or sell on the dark web.
After unlawfully charging a victim’s card, the scam call centers disappear without shipping anything. Users are left confused and defrauded without any valid avenue to pursue refunds.
The criminals behind the sites are already long gone, having accomplished their goal of stealing funds and personal data from deceived online shoppers lured in by the fake ads.
How to Spot the Scam Ads on Facebook
Watch out for these signs of fraudulent Brooks clearance sale ads on Facebook:
- Sponsored posts touting a Brooks “Warehouse Blowout” sale with extreme discounts like 90% off.
- Links in the Facebook ads go to shady URLs unrelated to Brooks’ real website.
- Grammar, formatting, and spelling errors throughout the ad copies.
- The Facebook page behind the ads has no history, posts, or followers.
- Comments on the ads from users asking if it’s a scam or complaining about fraud.
- No actual contact info besides a link to the phony website.
- No affiliation with Brooks’ official Facebook page or account.
Use caution with Facebook ads promoting unrealistic Brooks markdowns that seem questionable. Verify against Brooks’ real promotions.
Identifying the Fake Instagram Ads
Here are signs of fraudulent Brooks clearance sale ads found on Instagram:
-Posts advertising “Brooks Warehouse Liquidation – 80% Off!” and other fake sales.
-The @brooksrunning Instagram account is not tagged or mentioned.
-Links in bios redirect to scam sites like “brooksclearances.org” instead of Brooks’ real website.
-No evidence in the account that the ads are affiliated with Brooks.
-Comments from users asking if it’s legitimate or complaining about never receiving items.
-Very limited engagement and followers on the Instagram account posting the ads.
Use skepticism when you see improbable Brooks deals on Instagram from unrecognized accounts.
How to Spot the TikTok Scam Ads
These signs can help identify fake Brooks clearance sale ads on TikTok:
-Video ads falsely claiming Brooks is holding a massive warehouse clearance event with savings up to 85% off all merchandise.
-Links in bios redirect to sketchy scam websites completely unrelated to Brooks.
-No indications the account posting the ads is associated with Brooks Running.
-Comments asking if the deals are real or saying items never arrived after ordering.
-The TikTok account behind the ads has zero other posts or followers.
Beware of TikTok ads enticing users with unrealistic discounts on Brooks products from mysterious accounts. Apply extra scrutiny before clicking.
How to Spot the Fraudulent Brooks Websites
The scam ads direct victims to convincing but illegitimate websites impersonating the real Brooks e-commerce store. Watch for these red flags:
Suspicious Domain Names
The fraudulent sites use altered domain names designed to imitate the real Brooks URL. Examples include:
- brooksclearancesale.com
- brooksoutletdeal.net
- brooksactivewearblowout.org
- brooksrunningstore.co
Any deviations from Brooks’ real domain name brooksrunning.com should raise suspicions.
Logos and Branding
The fake websites display stolen Brooks logos, product images, and web design without authorization. However, a close look reveals slight differences and formatting issues.
Implausible Pricing
Fraud sites advertise up to 80% or more off all items, prices too good to be true. For example, $120 shoes for $25 or $75 jackets for $10. Legit retailers cannot offer such deep discounts across the board.
Lack of Contact Information
There is no valid phone number, email address, live chat or physical address for the company listed. Lack of real customer service contacts is a huge red flag.
No Company History or Track Record
The sites lack an “About Us” page detailing Brooks history, leadership team, timeline, accomplishments, etc. Nor is there evidence of being an established business.
Reviews Seem Fake
Any reviews seem clearly fabricated, overly generic and not credible. Nowhere do real verified purchasers describe their experience ordering from the site successfully.
By investigating these factors in tandem, consumers can confirm whether a website touting clearance Brooks deals is legitimate or a scam operation misusing the Brooks name. Avoid providing personal or payment data to any fraudulent sites.
What to Do If You Fell Victim to the Scam
If you mistakenly supplied your information to one of the fraudulent Brooks clearance sale websites after clicking their convincing ads, take these critical steps:
Immediately Contact Your Bank
Notify your credit card provider or bank right away, explain you were scammed by a fake website impersonating Brooks, and dispute the fraudulent charges. Acting quickly gives you the best shot at reversing the charges.
Provide all details about the phony site that defrauded you. Make it clear you were deceived into providing data and do not authorize any additional charges.
Monitor Accounts Closely
Keep vigilant watch over your financial accounts and credit reports over the next few months for any signs of unauthorized activity. Report any suspicious transactions as soon as possible.
Change All Account Passwords
Even if you only entered credit card details, change all your main online account passwords as a security precaution. Make each password long, unique and complex.
Place Fraud Alerts on Credit Reports
Consider placing initial 90-day fraud alerts with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion if the scam website has your SSN or other identity theft risks. This prompts scrutiny of new lines of credit.
Watch Out for Targeted Scam Attempts
Review any communications referencing the fraudulent Brooks orders carefully. The crooks may use stolen info to launch follow-up phishing attempts via email, phone calls or texts.
Report Fake Websites to Authorities
Supply details on the fraudulent website to the FTC, FBI IC3, BBB and state attorney general to aid law enforcement in shutting down these scammers. Reporting these impersonation sites is crucial to prevent continued victimization.
Avoiding Future Scam Clearance Sales
Looking ahead, consumers should be on high alert about similar seasonal scam sales tied to other popular brands. To shop safely:
- Verify promotions on brands’ real websites before believing social media ads.
- Beware deals too good to be true with extreme discounts off normal prices.
- Only provide info directly on sites you have fully vetted and trust.
- Check for obvious flaws like grammatical errors, missing contact pages and no reviews.
- Confirm URLs match brands’ legitimate domains exactly, not lookalikes.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to safely evaluating clearance sales advertised on social platforms. Savvy consumers must scrutinize both the ads and destination websites to avoid falling prey to convincing scams like the fake Brooks promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fake Brooks Clearance Sale Scam
Shoppers need the facts to avoid getting duped by scammy ads for a Brooks clearance event. Here are key questions answered:
Is the Brooks 90% off clearance sale real?
No. Brooks has confirmed they are not holding any such warehouse or clearance sale. The promotions are completely fake and unaffiliated.
What discounts are being advertised in the scam ads?
The fraudulent ads falsely claim up to 80% or even 90% off site-wide prices to hook shoppers. But these crazy markdowns don’t exist.
What happens if I order from a fraudulent Brooks website?
Your credit card will likely be charged but you won’t receive any products. Or you may get low-quality knockoffs instead of real Brooks gear.
Are the fake sites connected to Brooks?
No. The scam websites use Brooks’ name and logos without permission solely to execute the scam. Brooks is not associated with them.
How do I spot a fake Brooks clearance website?
Watch for unbelievable prices, spelling errors, missing contact pages, use of a non-Brooks URL, no company info, fake reviews, etc.
Can Brooks cancel an order I placed on a scam site?
Unfortunately no, since the sites are unaffiliated imposters. You must contest the charges directly with your bank.
Will I get a refund if scammed?
There’s no guarantee, but immediately report fraudulent charges to your credit card provider for the best chance at a chargeback.
Should I report fake Brook ads and sites?
Absolutely! Reporting them helps get these scams removed from social platforms and shut down.
This FAQ provides the must-know details consumers need to recognize the telltale signs of the fake Brooks social media clearance sale scam. Stay vigilant!
The Bottom Line: Clearance Sale Scams Abound
The bottom line is that viral social media advertisements luring customers with unbelievable discounts on limited-time Brooks clearance sales are completely illegitimate – Brooks is not sponsoring any such promotions or events.
The ads are bait used to direct consumers to elaborate fake websites designed to steal credit card and personal data under false pretenses. Any submitted orders and information provided merely goes directly into the hands of scammers, not Brooks.
If you fell victim to one of these clearance sale scams, immediately notify relevant institutions to report fraudulent charges and accounts. Avoid providing data to unfamiliar sites you are sent to via social media ads, no matter how compelling the promotions may seem on the surface.
When evaluating seasonal sales advertised on social platforms, it’s essential apply due diligence before believing sponsored posts – even from brands you know and trust. Cross-check sales against brands’ real websites and published promotions for verification before making purchases.
