A new scam promotion claiming Hallmark is holding massive store closing sales with ornaments discounted 90% has been infiltrating social media through sponsored posts and ads. Scammers are promoting the fake sale to steal money and identities from Hallmark lovers. This article exposes how this deceitful sham works.
Overview of the Hallmark Store Closing Scam
A massive scam network is infiltrating Facebook with sponsored ads promoting unbelievable “Hallmark Store Closing” sales. These ads link to elaborate fake shopping websites recently created to rip people off.
You may have seen official-looking Facebook ads for Hallmark ornaments discounted over 90% off due to supposed store closings. The ads use enticing slogans like “Clearance Sale” and “Limited Time Offer” to lure shoppers.
Scammers are blanketing Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with sponsored ads stating:
😢We have closed some underperforming stores, resulting in a large amount of overstock, and we offer special sales to reward our customers. We would be very grateful if you could help these shop owners recover their funds. Here is what the Facebook ads read:
BLACKSHOPDAYS.COM – Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Overstock From $3.8 – We have closed some underperforming stores resulting in a large amount of overstocked inventory which we sell at a special price of 90% off to reward our customers.
However, clicking these links brings you to scam websites with vague contact info and no social media presence beyond the ads themselves. The sites have no transparency about who owns them and use plagiarized content and images simply copied from legitimate sites.
These scam stores have a recently registered domain name like “blackshopdays.com” and no way to contact the company beyond a dubious email address. After entering payment and personal information to purchase the discounted items promoted in the Facebook ads, victims ultimately receive nothing in the mail.
In rare cases, victims may eventually receive products that are vastly inferior to what was advertised. For example, a cheap plastic $2 ornament instead of a premium sculpted Hallmark keepsake quoted at $90% off.
This network of scam websites promoted heavily on Facebook is a complete fraudulent operation. They lure bargain hunters with unrealistic deals and enticing slogans, only to disappear after collecting payments and sensitive personal data from their fake shopping sites.
How the Fake Hallmark Store Closing Scam Works
Here is an in-depth look at how this scam ensnares victims step-by-step:
Step 1: Fraudulent Social Media Ads
The first point of contact is through Facebook, Instagram or TikTok ads promoting the fake going out of business sales. The ads claim up to 90% off ornaments and other gifts due to “underperforming store closures.”
This hooks bargain hunters looking to buy Hallmark products deeply discounted. The scammers also appeal to goodwill by saying purchases will help recover funds for struggling shop owners.
Step 2: Landing on the Scam Website
Clicking the link in the social ad brings users to an extremely convincing fake Hallmark website made to mirror real store pages. Everything from web templates to product photos is stolen.
There are sections for “going out of business sales”, clearance items, seasonal products and more. Prices are shown discounted 90% or more in red.
Step 3: Submitting Order and Payment Info
To capture identities and payment data, the site has a checkout process for entering shipping address, contact details and credit card information.
Victims believe they are getting an incredible deal on authentic Hallmark ornaments for family and friends. In reality, it’s just a scam to steal personal and financial information.
Step 4: Disappearance After Submitting Order
Once purchases and payments are submitted, the website essentially disappears. Customers never receive a confirmation email, shipping status or tracking number.
The site gets deactivated, passwords stop working and emails bounce back. Scammers take the money and run with all the data they need for identity theft.
Step 5: No Products Ever Arrive
Despite believing they scored big savings on holiday gifts, victims of this scam ultimately receive nothing in the mail.
The fake websites have no actual inventory, warehouses, or ability to fulfill orders. Any products advertised are completely fictitious.
Step 6: Identity and Credit Card Theft
While expecting shipments with big savings on Hallmark ornaments, victims’ stolen credit card numbers are used to make fraudulent purchases.
Other personal info like SSNs, birthdays and addresses is sold on the dark web or used to open fake accounts. The effects of identity theft can be long-lasting.
Recognizing Red Flags of the Fake Sale
While initially convincing, this supposed store closing sale has many red flags upon closer look:
- Unrealistic discounts– 90%+ discounts on new Hallmark ornaments are too good to be true and indicate a scam.
- Grammatical errors– Poor English in ads and on sites signal illegitimate foreign operators.
- Anonymous website registration– Scam sites like “blackshopdays.com” are anonymously registered to avoid accountability.
- Urgent timing– Limited time offers and closing dates pressure victims to purchase quickly without scrutiny.
- No company info– Vague “About Us” pages fail to provide ownership, location or contact details.
- No seller reviews– Unlike real brands, absolutely no independent reviews are available for the scam websites.
- Shady payment processing– Unsecure portal and myriad unsupported card options signal inability to fulfill orders.
- Lack of contact info– No phone, address or support options make it impossible to reach sellers with issues.
Any of these factors should give shoppers pause before providing payment information and engage with caution when promotions seem too good to be true.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
This scam relies heavily on sponsored ads and posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Here are tips to recognize the scam content on each:
Watch for Facebook ads and posts with:
- Unrealistic discounts like “Up to 90% off Hallmark ornaments!”
- Suspicious links sending users to unknown sites
- Urgent language like “Going out of business!”
- Comments and reactions disabled to hide negative feedback
- New pages with generic names and stock images
- Recently created pages with low follower counts
- Multiple ads running simultaneously from one page
Look for Instagram posts promoting:
- The same stolen photos reused across different accounts
- Prices on major brands that are clearly too good to be true
- Hundreds of irrelevant tags like #sale #deals #discounts
- No history beyond the scam ads on the accounts
- Comment sections flooded with spam bots
- Links in bios sending to shady scam websites
TikTok
Watch for TikTok videos with:
- Stock videos not showing actual products
- “Hurry, today only!” messages to pressure viewers
- Links in captions sending to fake scam sites
- Comments turned off to hide negative reactions
- Mass-purchased fake views and followers
- No signs of credibility beyond the questionable ads
Always verify unfamiliar sellers making hard-to-believe claims before engaging or providing payment information through social channels. Do your research to avoid falling victim to these scams.
What to Do If You Are a Victim
If you unfortunately fell for this Hallmark store closing scam, take these steps right away:
- Contact your credit card issuer– Report the charges as fraudulent and request a chargeback refund. Monitor statements for further suspicious charges.
- Check credit reports– Look for newly opened accounts using your identity and consider freezing reports. Sign up for credit monitoring services.
- Change account passwords– Update passwords on financial, email, social media and other online accounts. Enable two-factor authentication when possible.
- File police reports– File reports documenting the fraud with the FTC, FBI and your local police department. This helps recovery efforts.
- Warn contacts– Notify your friends and followers on social media about this scam to prevent more victims. Report fake ads and accounts to platforms.
Being proactive can help limit some of the damages inflicted by these scammers. Work diligently to protect your accounts, restore your identity and spread awareness to bring this scam to an end.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hallmark 90% Off Scam
This pervasive scam leaving victims empty-handed has many consumers confused and seeking answers. Here are responses to some of the top FAQs about this fraudulent operation:
What exactly is this Hallmark store closing 90% off scam I keep seeing on social media?
This is a scam network running online ads about huge Hallmark sales, claiming stores are closing. But the ads link to fake sites just stealing money and info. No products are ever shipped.
How does the Hallmark store closing 90% off scam work to rip people off?
Scammers use social media ads to direct people to convincing fake store sites. Victims enter payment and personal details to “purchase” discounted items. But the sites are fraudulent and no products are delivered.
What are some example names used for the fake Hallmark store websites?
Some known scam site names are blackshopdays.com, hallmark-closeout.shop, and brandwarehousesale.com. Scammers quickly change sites to avoid exposures.
Why are the advertised 90% off deals on Hallmark products clear signs of a scam?
Real Hallmark ornaments sell for $15-$50 normally. Discounts over 90% off are unrealistic and indicate a scam promising unbelievable prices.
What typically happens when someone orders from the Hallmark 90% off scam sites?
Most customers receive absolutely nothing after being scammed. Their money is gone, details stolen, and no Hallmark products ever arrive in the mail.
What should I do if I see an ad for the Hallmark store closing 90% off deal?
You should avoid engaging with the ads. Report them as fraudulent to social networks. Search the website names for scam warnings. Share this article to spread awareness.
How can I avoid becoming a victim of the Hallmark closing sale scam?
Be very skeptical of prices discounted over 50% off. Only provide payment info to verified sellers with transparent return policies. Pay with credit cards for purchase protection.
What steps should I take if I already fell for the 90% off scam?
Immediately contact your bank and credit card company to report fraudulent charges. Check credit reports for suspicious activity and consider freezing access. Monitor your accounts closely.
How can shoppers help stop this Hallmark closing sale scam permanently?
Reporting fake ads/sites to authorities disrupts operations. Media coverage spreading awareness makes these scams less profitable over time. Consumers being vigilant also slows their success.
The Bottom Line
The supposed Hallmark store closing sale offering ornament discounts up to 90% off is a complete scam intended to steal money and sensitive personal data this holiday season.
Avoid engaging with social media ads and posts promoting unbelievable prices from unfamiliar sellers. Only make purchases directly through reputable retailers that can be easily verified. Take precautions when shopping online to protect your finances and identity.
