Lululemon Athletica is a popular athletic apparel company known for its yoga pants and other workout gear. Unfortunately, scammers have been heavily promoting fake Lululemon clearance sales on social media to defraud customers. Read on to learn more about how this scam works and how to avoid falling victim.
Overview of the Scam
Shoppers on Facebook and other social media platforms are being targeted with ads promoting fake Lululemon clearance sales. These heavily advertised posts trick users into visiting scam websites that appear to sell deeply discounted Lululemon athleticwear.
The fake sites feature the Lululemon logo and mimic the look and feel of a real Lululemon store. However, they are not affiliated with or authorized by Lululemon in any way. The scam websites are designed to steal money and personal data from customers who make purchases.
Victims of these clearance sale scams report a variety of disappointing outcomes after placing orders:
- No products delivered – This is the most frequent result. Orders disappear after payments are processed and nothing ever ships to the customer.
- Cheap knockoffs – Some customers receive low-quality replica products made with inferior materials that do not match what was ordered.
- Used or damaged goods – In some cases, the items shipped are clearly used, broken, or otherwise tampered with. This indicates no new products are being sent.
- Incorrect items – Orders may arrive with completely random products that were not actually purchased on the site.
In addition to scamming shoppers out of their money, these fake Lululemon websites also harvest users’ personal and financial data during checkout. The scammers collect full names, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details through the checkout process.
Research shows these fraudulent sites are part of an expansive scam network run out of China. This criminal network manages countless fake e-commerce websites to rip off online shoppers.
The scam sites exhibit many red flags:
- Plagiarized legal policies and product info
- No customer service contact information
- Too-good-to-be-true “90% Off” deals
- Missing business transparency and social media presence
- Recently registered domain names
How the Scam Works
The Lululemon clearance scam follows predictable steps to take advantage of unsuspecting social media users and steal their money and information.
1. Scammers Create Fake Shopping Websites
The scammers begin by registering domain names that sound like they could be associated with Lululemon. For example, they may use “Lululemon-Outlet” or “LululemonChristmasSale” rather than the real domain name Lululemon.com.
When designing the sites, they will copy images, product descriptions, branding elements and the overall look and feel of a real Lululemon site. These fakes are made to look as convincing as possible.
2. Scammers Promote Fake Sales on Social Media
Next, the scammers create social media accounts and begin promoting their fake Lululemon clearance sales. They run Facebook ads, create Instagram posts, and produce TikTok videos advertising huge discounts and limited-time offers.
These social posts are designed to go viral and leverage FOMO (fear of missing out) to get as many clicks as possible. Common slogans include “Final Blowout Sale!”, “Closing Forever – Up to 90% Off”, and “Lululemon Warehouse Clearance Event!”
3. Users Click on Scam Ads and Purchase Fake Products
When social media users see the clearance sale posts, many will click on the ads because the deals look too good to pass up. The links in the posts send shoppers to the scam Lululemon websites that were set up in step one.
Once on the fake site, customers browse impressive-looking product galleries of Lululemon apparel and accessories. The items are usually listed at least 50-90% off, far below retail prices.
When they go to purchase the discounted products, shoppers enter their personal information like name, address, phone number and credit card details. This data is harvested by the scammers.
4. Scam Sites Process Payments But Never Fulfill Orders
Whether customers purchase one item or hundreds of dollars worth of products, their orders ultimately go unfulfilled. The majority of victims report never receiving any products at all.
In other cases, customers have received cheap counterfeit items or used products that are damaged or tampered with. This demonstrates that no legitimate new Lululemon merchandise is being shipped from these scam sites.
5. Scammers Disappear After Obtaining Payments and Data
Once payments are processed by the scam sites, they have what they want from the transaction – the shopper’s money and personal information. The scammers block any attempts victims make to contact them via email or the (non-working) phone numbers listed on the sites.
Shortly after running their scam promotion, they take down the website and disappear with the data and payments. The domain name is usually left to expire and the scammers move on to create new fake sites for their next scam.
Reviewing the Red Flags
The fake Lululemon websites promoting clearance sales may look convincing, but they display plenty of signs revealing their fraudulent nature. Here are some of the red flags to watch out for:
- Too-good-to-be-true discounts – Real Lululemon products very rarely go on sale for 50% or 90% off. These unbelievable deals are designed to take advantage of shoppers’ desire for bargains.
- Domain names – Fake sites tend to have domain names that sound sort of like Lululemon but are a little bit off. For example, Lululemon-ChristmasSale.com or LululemonOnlineStore.net. Always look for the exact match Lululemon.com.
- No contact information – Scam sites only list email addresses for contact and have no working customer service numbers or physical addresses.
- No about us page – Legitimate businesses have an about us page that lists their company history and operations details. Scam sites rarely include these.
- No social media presence – The scam Lululemon sites do not have any social media accounts or follower engagement. The only social promotion is through the scam ads.
- Plagiarized policies and images – Fake sites copy and paste legal policies from other websites instead of having original content. Product galleries consistently use stolen images.
- Poor web design – Scam websites tend to look cheaply made or semi-unfinished. They may have odd fonts, alignment issues or broken links.
- Spelling and grammar errors – Sloppy writing mistakes throughout the site indicate it was hastily created by non-native English speakers.
- No SSL certificate – Secure sites should have “https://” in the URL bar and a padlock icon. Non-secure fake sites only use “http://”.
Shoppers should thoroughly research any ecommerce site before making purchases or entering personal data. All the signs above are good reasons to avoid these fraudulent Lululemon clearance sale scams being promoted on social media.
Identifying This Scam on Social Media
Savvy social media users should stay alert to recognize posts promoting the deceptive Lululemon clearance scam on popular platforms. Learning the usual giveaways can help you avoid getting duped.
Spotting Scam Lululemon Sales on Facebook
Lululemon scam ads frequently infiltrate Facebook feeds by masquerading as posts from authentic pages or accounts. For example, they may pretend to be the official Lululemon page announcing a clearance event.
These paid ads leverage attention-grabbing headlines like “Final Blowout Sale! Up to 90% off Lululemon!” alongside enticing photos of models wearing coveted Lululemon leggings and sports bras.
Clicking the post will redirect to a shady lookalike domain instead of the real Lululemon.com. Scrutinize whether the page name matches the exact verified Lululemon account and be wary of too-good-to-be-true discounts off expensive athleticwear.
Identifying Fake Instagram Lululemon Sales
Scammers often create convincing fake Instagram accounts mimicking Lululemon’s aesthetics and branding. They will use slight variations of the handle like “@Lululemon.official” or include “Outlet” or “Sales” in the name to imply a connection.
The account bio generally claims to offer authorized Lululemon discounts. Photo and video posts advertise clearance events and link to scam websites in captions and Stories.
Authentic indicator tags like a blue verification checkmark are noticeably absent. Profile details appear sparse or non-existent. If account followers seem low for a major brand, you have likely encountered a scam.
Catching Counterfeit TikTok Promotions
On TikTok, scam sales get promoted through fake brands accounts and paid influencer partnerships. Videos feature TikTokers wearing what appears to be official Lululemon apparel and touting clearance blowouts.
Account profiles utilize slight variations of the verified @lululemon handle and lack a blue check verifying authenticity. Links in bios and video captions redirect to shady discount sites.
Comments may seem overly enthusiastic about the sales or use repetitive phrasing. If the discounted prices seem unrealistic, proceed with ample caution before clicking any links.
Staying vigilant on social channels helps avoid getting duped by scam Lululemon promotions. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
What to Do If You Are Scammed
If you have already fallen victim to one of these fake Lululemon promotions, here are the steps you should take right away:
Act Quickly to Stop Payments
- Call your credit card company – Report the transaction as fraudulent and have them reverse the charges if possible. Cancel the compromised card to prevent future unauthorized charges.
- Call your bank – If you paid with debit, call your bank immediately to stop payment. Ask about recovering lost funds if the transaction already processed.
- Freeze accounts – Log into your Paypal, Venmo or payment app accounts to freeze activity. Report scam payments and seek refunds. Change account passwords for security.
- Notify money transfer services – If you paid a scammer via wire transfer, Moneygram or Western Union, contact them promptly to freeze the transaction if it hasn’t completed yet.
Secure Personal Information
- Monitor credit reports – Check your credit reports to see if scammers opened any accounts in your name. Set up credit freezes or fraud alerts as precautions.
- Change account passwords – Update the passwords on all of your online accounts that use the same username and password combination as the scam site.
- Beware of phishing attempts – Scammers may target you with follow-up emails asking for more information. Forward any phishing emails to the FTC.
Report the Scam Activity
- Inform your local police – File a report about the scam with local law enforcement to have an official record. This can help with recovering lost funds.
- Report to the FTC – File a scam report with the Federal Trade Commission to join investigations against the fraud ring.
- Warn social media sites – Report the scam Facebook ads, Instagram pages and TikTok accounts used to promote the sales. Getting them shut down can protect other users.
- Leave online reviews – Post reviews about the scam on sites like TrustPilot to spread awareness and prevent further victims. Make sure to include the fraudulent domain name.
- Dispute with your bank – If the charges were processed, report the transactions as fraudulent to your bank and file a chargeback dispute. Provide as much documentation as possible.
Avoiding Future Scam Dangers
While reporting the scam to authorities, the most urgent step is protecting yourself from further harm. Here are some best practices to avoid becoming the victim of another scam:
- Learn to identify red flags – Study scam awareness guidance to get better at spotting the warning signs of a fraudulent website, ad or email.
- Double check before ordering – Don’t make rushed purchases just because an offer looks limited-time. Carefully vet sites and search for reviews before checkout.
- Never pay by wire transfer – Reject any retailer requesting payment by wire service. These transactions can’t be reversed like credit cards.
- Use secure payment methods only – When shopping online, stick to credit cards and established payment apps/platforms. Never pay by cash apps, checks or money orders.
- Be wary of social media ads – Don’t immediately trust discounts or sales being promoted through Facebook ads and Instagram. Thoroughly check sites before making purchases.
- Keep device software updated – Maintain up-to-date malware protections to avoid infections that can expose your data to scammers.
- Review statements closely – Routinely scrutinize your financial statements and report any suspicious or unauthorized charges promptly to limit losses.
Being aware of the deceptive tactics used in clearance sale cons and other online scams can help prevent you from becoming the next victim. Always think before clicking and carefully evaluate any website asking for your money or sensitive personal data.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Scam
This fraudulent scam targeting Lululemon fans raises many concerns. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions about spotting and avoiding these clearance sale rip-offs.
How do I recognize these fake Lululemon sites?
Fake Lululemon websites promote clearance sales with deep discounts, like 90% off. They use slightly altered domain names and lack contact info. No social media pages exist, just the ads. Too-good-to-be-true deals, spelling/grammar errors, stolen images, and missing About Us pages are other red flags.
Are the products they sell real Lululemon items?
No. Most customers receive nothing after payment. In other cases, victims got cheap counterfeits or tampered used goods, proving these sites do not sell authentic Lululemon products. The scam sites just process payments and disappear.
Can I get my money back if I ordered from a scam site?
If you used a credit card, report the charges as fraudulent to reverse them. If you paid via wire, dispute the transaction immediately. Contact your bank and payment apps used to potentially recover lost money. File claims right away before the scammers move funds.
How can I tell if a Lululemon sale post on Facebook is real or fake?
Scrutinize who exactly posted it. Confirm it is from the verified Lululemon Facebook page specifically. Fake accounts imitate the name and branding. Also be wary of major discounts advertised on social media only rather than Lululemon’s real website.
Should I avoid all Lululemon clearance sales on Instagram?
No, Lululemon does occasionally run authorized sales announced via their official Instagram account @lululemon. But confirm the exact username matches and look for the blue verification checkmark. Scam accounts use slight variations of the handle without verification.
What should I do if I gave my information to a fake site?
Immediately change any passwords used on the site. Check credit reports and set up fraud alerts in case your data gets misused. Monitor financial statements closely for unfamiliar charges. Avoid clicking any follow-up emails from scammers phishing more details.
How can I make sure my online shopping is safe?
Always thoroughly vet sites, look for reviews, confirm secure checkout protocols, and avoid shady payment methods. Use credit cards when possible for fraud protection. Never rush into purchases without fully checking the retailer’s reputation first.
Conclusion
Fake Lululemon clearance sales being promoted heavily on sites like Facebook and Instagram are part of an organized scam network specifically designed to defraud online shoppers. These convincing-looking websites mimic the Lululemon brand to lure in traffic, but in reality they do not sell any legitimate products.
If you encounter one of these scam promotions, look for the warning signs outlined above like unbelievable discounts and suspicious domain names. Avoid making purchases or entering any personal information to prevent your data and money from being stolen. Be especially wary of limited-time promotions pressuring you to buy immediately before thoroughly vetting the website.
Anyone tricked by these clearance sale scams should take immediate action by reporting fraudulent payments and freezing affected accounts. Provide documentation to your bank and payment providers to file disputes and maximize chances of recovering lost funds. Going forward, be vigilant about identifying scam red flags and always think twice before clicking on social media advertisements to avoid further fraud victimization.
