Tupperware is one of the most well-known and trusted brands for high-quality food storage containers and kitchen tools. However, scammers are taking advantage of Tupperware’s good reputation by creating fake websites that appear to offer huge discounts on Tupperware products. These “Tupperware clearance sales” advertise prices up to 90% off and heavily promote the deals on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. But the rock-bottom prices are only a ruse to cheat customers out of their money.
This article will provide an in-depth look at how the Tupperware clearance sale scam works, tips for spotting the fraudulent websites, what to do if you’ve fallen victim, and how to protect yourself from these online shopping scams.
Overview of the Scam
The Tupperware brand has become synonymous with high-quality, innovative food storage containers and kitchen tools ever since the company pioneered the concept of Tupperware parties in the 1950s. For decades, customers have trusted Tupperware for durable, versatile products that help keep food fresh.
Unfortunately, with the rise of online shopping, unscrupulous scammers have found ways to exploit Tupperware’s stellar reputation in order to rip people off. They are taking advantage of shoppers looking for bargains on Tupperware favorites like modular mates containers, microwave steamers, reusable straws, FridgeSmart containers, portion control sets, and more.
The scam works like this: Scammers create sophisticated fake websites designed to look exactly like an official Tupperware site. Everything from the branding, colors, fonts, and images are copied to look as close as possible to the real website. To unsuspecting customers, the website appears totally legitimate and gives no indication that anything is amiss.
The fake sites prominently advertise eye-catching “blowout” sales, clearance events, or going-out-of-business sales that offer Tupperware products at drastically reduced prices. For example, a set of containers worth $250 normally might be listed for just $39. Or a Tupperware knife set could be advertised at 90% off – just $29 instead of $299.
These unbelievable prices are only meant to entice victims to purchase from the fraudulent sites. The scammers often use countdown timers or limited quantity messages to create a false sense of urgency about taking advantage of the deals. Once shoppers add items to their online cart, they must input personal information like name, address, phone number, and credit card details to checkout.
However, after submitting payment, the brutal truth sets in. The rock-bottom prices were completely bogus. Victims never receive the quality Tupperware products they paid for. Either the orders never arrive at all, or victims receive shoddy counterfeit items that are clearly not authentic Tupperware merchandise.
For example, one victim reported ordering a 14-piece Tupperware set on clearance for $40. What arrived was a single plastic food container that did not even match the Tupperware product pictured on the site. Others reported receiving random, cheap items like a bracelet or sunglasses that were completely different from their order.
Even worse, since the victims entered their personal and payment information into the fake sites, they are now at huge risk for credit card fraud and identity theft. The sites are set up solely to harvest users’ financial details. Victims often have their identities stolen or see additional fraudulent charges appear on their accounts.
By the time people realize they have been scammed, it is usually too late. The fraudsters behind the sites have already achieved their goal – stealing money, credit card information, and personal data from unsuspecting shoppers lured in by seemingly incredible deals. These predators rely on creating convincing fake sites and promoting them heavily on social media platforms where bargain hunters are plenty.
How the Scam Works
The operators behind these Tupperware clearance sale scams have a well-planned strategy to dupe online shoppers. Here is how the rip-off typically works:
1. Create a Professional-Looking Website
The scammers put significant effort into making their sites appear as legitimate online stores. They use the Tupperware logo prominently throughout the site. The products pictured are usually stolen images from Tupperware’s official website or catalogs. The site will have sections and features similar to a real online store, such as shopping cart, categories, customer reviews, FAQs, etc. To seem more credible, the sites list a phone number and physical address. However, any contact info leads to dead ends.
2. Advertise Fake Sales on Social Media
Once the scam website is ready, the criminals focus on driving traffic through social media ads and posts. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow them to target specific demographics who may be interested in Tupperware products. They create ads touting the huge markdowns, such as “Tupperware Clearance Sale! All Items Up to 90% Off!”
The ads are designed to catch people’s attention with enticing images of Tupperware products and claims of unbelievable deals. When users click on the ads, they are taken to the fake website to place orders. The social media ads give the site an air of legitimacy, making victims less likely to suspect it is a scam.
3. Dupe Customers into Buying Worthless Products
The website features eye-catching photos of Tupperware products next to prices that are dramatically marked down. For example, a set normally priced at $250 might be listed at $25. These prices are complete fiction, intended to get unsuspecting shoppers to add items to their cart and input payment information.
Some red flags to watch for are limited-time countdowns or claims that only a certain number of discounted products are left. These tactics pressure customers to make a quick purchase before the deals expire. Once payments go through, scammers have what they want. Victims will never receive anything close to what they paid for.
4. Collect Payment and Personal Information
In order to complete orders on the fake sites, customers are prompted to enter their name, address, email, phone number, and credit card details. All this personal information is collected directly by the scammers running the sites. At best, victims are out the money they paid without getting any real products in return. But they are also at risk of identity theft and fraudulent use of their credit cards by these scam artists.
5. Victims Receive Nothing or Worthless Products
After completing their purchase, victims soon realize they have been conned. Many people report never receiving any shipments at all after placing orders. The sites often promise quick shipping, but the delivery dates come and go without any packages arriving.
Other scam victims receive cheap, knock-off products that are clearly not from Tupperware. For example, instead of a high-quality set of Tupperware containers, they receive a single plastic food container of obviously inferior quality. Some people receive random, worthless items like cheap bracelets or sunglasses. The products shipped essentially have no relation to what was purchased online.
Regardless of the outcome, the scammers already have what they wanted – victims’ money and personal information. Shoppers are left with empty pockets and compromised financial and identity security.
How to Identify Fake Tupperware Websites
While the scam Tupperware sites are designed to look convincing, there are several red flags that can help savvy shoppers discern the fraudulent sites from legitimate retailers. Being able to recognize these signs is crucial to avoid being ripped off.
Here are the top things to look for when assessing a website advertising unbelievable discounts on Tupperware:
Be Suspicious of Deep Discounts
One of the most obvious indicators of a scam is prices that seem way too good to be true. For example, a $250 set selling for $39 or a 90% discount off retail prices. Tupperware is a premium brand that rarely offers such deep price cuts. Even on an authentic clearance sale, the maximum discount will be around 50-60%. Simply put, if the prices appear unrealistic, they probably are.
Research the Domain Name
Take a close look at the domain name and do some research on it. Fake sites often use newly created domain names registered very recently. Search the domain on Whois.com to find when it was created. Scam sites tend to have been registered within the past 3-6 months, while legitimate businesses have older domain registration dates. Also check that the domain name reflects the actual business. Domains involving random letters or numbers should raise suspicions.
Check for Proper Contact Information
Authentic Tupperware seller websites will have a phone number and physical address you can use to contact them. Scam sites typically only provide an email address – and often it is an Outlook, Gmail or other free provider. Calling any numbers on the site generally leads to disconnected services or unrelated businesses. Always verify that full legitimate contact details are available.
Look for Overuse of Stock Photos
A big clue to a sham site is reliance on stock photos instead of original product images. Scammers steal photos from the official Tupperware site or catalogs. Reverse image searches can help spot where images have been taken from. Authentic sellers use pictures they took themselves of actual merchandise. An abundance of generic stock photos indicates a fraudulent website.
Check for Verified SSL Certificate
All legitimate ecommerce websites should have an SSL certificate for security. Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon. Clicking the lock will show who verified the certificate. Lack of an SSL certificate means you should avoid entering any sensitive data on that site.
See If Reviews Are Available
See if the website has customer reviews posted somewhere on the site. Scam sites typically do not have reviews, while most authentic online stores encourage buyer feedback. Search for reviews on independent sites as well. Lack of objective reviews is a major red flag.
Evaluate the Return and Refund Policies
Read the fine print on return policies. Scam sites often have no return policy at all or declined refunds on “discounted” items. This offers no recourse if you receive a worthless product. Tupperware’s real return policy is 30 days for a full refund. Strict or missing policies are signs of a fraudulent retailer.
Trust Your Instincts
If anything seems questionable or too good to be true, listen to your gut feeling. Even if a website looks professional, well-designed sites can still be scams. When in doubt, avoid providing any sensitive data. Stick with well-known retailers like Tupperware.com or big marketplaces like Amazon. Being vigilant protects you from online scammers.
Scam websites may look amazingly convincing on the surface. But upon closer inspection, their shady nature emerges. Learning the tactics used by fraudsters helps shoppers make wise decisions and steer clear of deals that seem too good to be true. Trust your instincts and be an informed consumer to shop safely online.
How to Identify Tupperware Scams on Social Media
A big part of how the fake Tupperware websites attract victims is through social media ads and posts. Scammers have become experts at using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote their bogus deals. Here is what to watch out for on each platform:
Spotting Tupperware Scams on Facebook
Facebook’s massive user base and ad network make it a prime target for scammers. They create Facebook ads for the fake clearance sales that appear in your feed and can easily be mistaken for legit offers.
- Be suspicious of any Facebook ad touting a Tupperware sale with extremely low prices like 90% off or $29 for a $299 product. Legitimate discounts will be 50% at most.
- Watch for urgent messages in the ads like “Going out of business!”, “Today Only”, or “Limited quantities!” This pressures you to act fast without closer inspection.
- Clicking on the ad will likely take you to a scam website. Look for other red flags like stock photos, recent domain registration, and lack of contact details.
- Reverse image search any product photos used. Scammers typically steal images from real Tupperware sites. Unique images indicate an authentic seller.
- Check for a blue verification badge on the Facebook Page running the ad. Lack of verification indicates a scammer is impersonating a real business.
- Search for evidence that the Page has a history of scamming. Look at comments and reviews for mentions of fakes, stolen money, or no products delivered.
Identifying Tupperware Scams on Instagram
From Instagram Stories to Explore posts to influencer partnerships, scammers leverage many angles on Instagram to push their cons:
- Be wary of Instagram ads for Tupperware with abnormally low prices. This is the #1 sign of a scam trying to hook bargain hunters.
- Watch for Stories or posts using enticing captions like “Going out of business sale!” or “Today only blowout deal!” along with crazy low prices.
- Reverse image search any product photos. Fraudsters often steal official Tupperware images from Instagram and Pinterest to make their deals seem real. Unique pictures indicate a true seller.
- Click on the seller’s profile. Scam accounts often have zero or very few organic followers and following accounts. Legimate businesses have appropriately large followings.
- Check that tagging a location results in a real physical address, not just generic terms like “San Francisco, CA”.
- Beware Instagram influencers promoting deals too good to be true. They may be getting paid by scammers to rope in victims.
Catching Tupperware Scams on TikTok
On TikTok, scammers use fake videos and high engagement tactics to spread their cons:
- Search TikTok for the product you want to buy to analyze videos promoting it. Fake demonstrations using stock footage or stolen videos should raise red flags.
- Engage with caution. Scammers pay for fake likes, views, and comments to make their deals seem popular and trusted. Don’t assume high engagement means a seller is legit.
- Reverse image search product images in posts. Matching results indicate stolen media, not unique products.
- Research sellers touting prices that seem unrealistic. Search for reviews indicating they never delivered products to previous buyers.
- Watch for urgent captions demanding you act fast before you miss out on low prices. This pressures you to buy without thinking first.
Across social networks, scammers rely on convincing fake content and fear of missing out to perpetrate clearance sale cons. But learning their tactics makes it possible to spot and report them before you get ripped off.
What to Do if You’ve Fallen Victim to the Scam
If you placed an order on one of these fake Tupperware sites and never received your items or only got worthless products, here are important steps to take right away:
- Contact your credit card company – Report the incident and request a chargeback for any purchases made. Act quickly, as many cards have time limits on chargebacks. Getting your money reimbursed depends on catching the fraud in time.
- Monitor your statements – Keep an eagle eye on your credit and debit card statements. Make sure no additional fraudulent charges appear from the stolen card data. Report any suspicious charges promptly. Consider requesting a new card number from your bank to prevent future misuse.
- Change passwords – If you used the same password on the fake site as you do on other accounts, immediately change it on all other sites. Use strong, unique passwords whenever possible.
- Freeze credit reports – Place a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to restrict access to your credit reports. This makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name. Removing the freeze is free when you want future access.
- Watch for identity theft – Continue monitoring your financial accounts, credit reports and mail for any signs of suspicious activity indicating identity theft. Report issues immediately and take appropriate action to limit damage.
- Report fake websites – You can report fraudulent sites to watchdog groups like the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, and Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide all relevant details to get the sites investigated and hopefully shut down.
- Warn others – Share your experience on social media or review sites to make others aware of scam websites to avoid. Your story can help prevent someone else from being victimized.
- Seek legal counsel – Depending on how much money was lost or whether identity theft resulted, consulting a lawyer may be advisable. An attorney can help assess if you have grounds for any legal action to recoup damages.
- Be more vigilant – Learn from any mistakes so you can spot and avoid online retail scams going forward. Stick to trusted brands and well-established ecommerce sites to ensure your online shopping security. Don’t take chances just to score an exceptionally low price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tupperware Clearance Sale Scams
Tupperware is trusted around the world for its innovative food storage containers and products. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting Tupperware’s reputation to rip off customers online. This FAQ covers common questions about how to spot and avoid these clearance sale scams.
What exactly is the Tupperware clearance scam?
Fraudsters create fake websites made to look identical to the official Tupperware site. They advertise huge clearance sales with prices like 90% off to lure in bargain hunters. However, if you place an order, you’ll either get nothing or low-quality knockoffs. They steal your money and information.
How can I identify a fake Tupperware website?
Watch for too-good-to-be-true prices, recently created domains, lack of contact info, stock photos, no SSL certificate, no reviews, grammatical errors, and missing return policies. These are red flags of a scam site.
Are the items real Tupperware products?
No. The scammers do not sell genuine Tupperware merchandise. At best, customers receive cheap counterfeits. Many report getting random, worthless items unrelated to their order.
Can I get a refund if I realize I’m scammed?
Unfortunately, most victims are unable to get refunds, since the sites are fraudulent. Your best recourse is reporting unauthorized charges to your credit card company ASAP to request a chargeback. Act fast, as time limits apply.
Is it safe to enter my personal/payment info on these sites?
Absolutely not. The sites exist only to steal credit card and personal information. Never enter sensitive data on questionable sites, as it puts you at serious risk of ID theft.
How do I check a site’s reputation?
Research the domain on Whois and review sites. Search the company name online for complaints. Lack of reviews and evidence of scamming indicate it’s an untrustworthy site.
Can I report fake Tupperware websites?
Yes, report them to sites like the Better Business Bureau, FTC, and IC3 to get fraudulent sites investigated and shut down. Provide as many details as possible.
Should I order from Instagram/Facebook ads for clearance sales?
Use extreme caution with social media ads touting unrealistic discounts on major brands. Vet sites thoroughly before purchasing. Scammers often use social platforms to promote fake deals.
How can I shop Tupperware sales safely online?
Only order directly from Tupperware.com or authorized retailers like Amazon with purchase protections. Check site security and reviews first. Avoid making impulse buys based solely on prices.
By exercising caution and inspecting sites thoroughly, savvy shoppers can enjoy the convenience of online deals without getting ripped off. Trust your intuition – if an offer seems to good to be true, it almost always is. Stick with reputable sellers and you can shop Tupperware sales online confidently.
The Bottom Line
The Tupperware brand is a reputable company that has built decades of consumer trust. Unfortunately, scam artists are preying on that trust and good reputation to trick customers. Fake websites impersonating Tupperware prey on bargain hunters by advertising clearance prices up to 90% off retail.
But the unbelievably low prices are only a trap designed to steal money and personal information. These scam sites heavily promote the bogus deals through social media ads, particularly on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Once victims place orders, they either receive nothing, cheap counterfeits, or random unwanted items.
Protect yourself by learning to recognize the warning signs of these Tupperware clearance sale scams. No legitimate retailer will offer prices that seem too good to be true. When searching for online deals, stick with authorized Tupperware dealers and be wary of unbelievable discounts. Report any fraudulent sites you come across so others don’t fall prey. If you lost money to a scam, take action promptly to stop additional theft and repair any damage.
By exercising caution and good judgment, consumers can enjoy the convenience of online shopping without getting hooked by fakes posing as trusted brands like Tupperware. Don’t let the lure of rock-bottom prices overrule your common sense. If you avoid taking the bait from these shady websites, you can confidently shop online without becoming the victim of a clearance sale scam.
