Asics is one of the most popular athletic apparel and shoe brands, known for their high-quality running shoes and athletic gear. However, scammers are leveraging the brand’s reputation to take advantage of unsuspecting online shoppers through fake clearance sales promising items for 90% off.
This scam is propagated on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok through sponsored ads and posts advertising clearance sales for Asics products at huge 90% discounts. The ads use Asics branding and feature products like running shoes, activewear, and athletic accessories priced at only $29-$49 when they normally retail for $150+ from authorized dealers.
While the prices seem like an amazing deal, they are far below Asics’ normal clearance prices and are intended to hook shoppers into providing their credit card details and personal information. This article will provide an in-depth look at how the Asics 90% off scam works, what victims can do, and key things to watch out for to avoid getting duped by these fraudulent sales.
Overview of the Asics 90% Off Clearance Sale Scam
The Asics clearance sale scam takes advantage of shoppers looking to purchase high-end athletic products at heavily discounted prices. The perpetrators create fake websites using Asics branding and advertise clearance sales through paid social media ads and posts.
They promote deals like 90% off everything, or specific products discounted down to $29, $39 or $49 when most Asics shoes retail over $100. The scam stores feature stolen product images and use names like “Asics Warehouse Sale,” “Asics Outlet Store,” or “Asics Closing Down Sale” to mislead customers.
After luring victims to these sites with the promise of steep discounts, the sites ask shoppers to enter personal and payment information to place their orders. However, the discounted Asics merchandise never arrives. At best, victims receive cheap counterfeits or entirely different products like sunglasses and jewelry instead of the running shoes or activewear they purchased.
How Scammers Create Enticing But Fake Sale Websites
The criminals begin by registering domain names like “AsicsVIPOutlet,” “AsicsOutletShop,” or “AsicsWarehouseDirect” to sound like legitimate sites operated by the company. The scam sites are designed using Asics branding, logos, and product imagery stolen from Asics’ official website to look as convincing as possible.
The sites prominently advertise eye-catching slogans like “90% Off Everything,” “Limited Time Deals,” and “Going Out of Business Sale” to create urgency and lure shoppers. The products are listed at improbable prices like $39 for a $150 pair of running shoes.
To trick visitors into providing their personal and payment data, the sites claim the discounts are only available for a very limited time. Some even use countdown timers showing the sale ends in a few hours or minutes. They also have prominent calls-to-action like “Order Now” and “Limited Time Offer.”
What Shoppers See When Visiting the Fake Sites
When victims arrive at the scam Asics sales sites after clicking ads or links on social media, here is what they experience:
- Professional looking site design using Asics logo, fonts, colors, and brand imagery
- Prominent banners advertising “Warehouse Clearance,” “90% Off Sale,” or “Last Chance Deals”
- High quality product photos stolen from Asics’ authorized distributors and official sites
- Running shoes, apparel, and accessories listed at prices like $29, $39, and $49
- Urgency messages saying the prices are only valid for a short time
- Countdown timer showing deal expires in hours or minutes
- Order now calls-to-action to get shoppers to provide their information
- Requests for personal and payment data like name, address, credit card info
- No customer service contact information like phone or address
This professional design and branding tricks shoppers into believing the sites are legitimate outlets run by Asics offering clearance prices on excess inventory. However, everything from the products to the contact information is fake.
How the Asics 90% Off Scam Actually Works
Now that you understand the overview, here is a step-by-step breakdown of exactly how the Asics 90% off scam operates at each stage:
1. Scammers Create Fake Sale Websites
The first step is for scammers to register domains, design sites, and set up hosting to create professional looking ecommerce storefronts. They use the Asics name, brand elements, and product imagery without authorization to make the sites seem legitimate. The scam stores are optimized for search engines so they appear high in results when shoppers search for terms like “Asics outlet,” “Asics clearance sale,” or other related keywords.
2. Scammers Promote Their Sales on Social Media
Once the fake sites are ready, the criminals create social media ads and posts promoting the clearance sales and huge discounts. They target users who are likely interested in athletic wear and shoes based on interests and demographics. The ads use imagery of Asics shoes or apparel with messaging like “Asics Outlet – 90% Off Entire Site” to lure shoppers.
3. Shoppers Click on Ads and Visit Scam Websites
When users see the ads in their social feeds with styles and prices that seem too good to pass up, they click on the promotional links which send them to the scam sites. Everything from the domain names to the branding make the fake stores seem legitimate at first glance. The urgency messages and countdowns pressure shoppers to act fast before the deals expire.
4. Victims Attempt to Purchase Discounted Items
Once on the sites, victims browse the selection of heavily discounted Asics shoes and apparel. They add items like $150 running shoes to their carts listed at $29 or sweatshirts shown at only $39. When ready to purchase, they enter personal and payment information like name, address, and credit card number.
5. Credit Cards Are Charged for Products Never Delivered
Instead of processing legitimate orders, the criminals take the credit card and personal data entered by victims to make fraudulent charges. While the scam sites confirm orders are complete, the discounted Asics products never actually ship to the victims.
Any items sent usually arrive weeks later as cheap counterfeits or random products unrelated to the order. Since the sites are fake, victims have no way to contact the scammers when their orders don’t arrive. Their only recourse is to report the fraud to their credit card company.
6. Scammers Keep Running New Versions of the Scam
Even when one fake sale website gets discovered, the criminals simply alter the domain name and launch new versions with the same scammy tactics. They leverage new social media ads to keep directing unsuspecting shoppers to the fraudulent clearance sales to steal more credit card and personal information.
The cycle repeats as the scammers continue promoting the sales through social networks and targeting new victims with their Asics counterfeiting scheme. They can run the scam indefinitely since everything from the domain to hosting to payment processing is fraudulent.
How to Identify Fake Asics Websites and Spot the 90% Off Scam
When searching for unbelievable deals on Asics shoes and gear, it is crucial to be able to recognize fraudulent sites trying to fool shoppers. Here are the top signs to watch for to determine if an Asics sale website is fake before placing an order:
Recently Registered Domains and Sketchy URLs
A major red flag is when the domain name for the site was registered very recently, like in the last few months or less. Scam sites often use domain names that are meant to sound like real businesses, with names like “AsicsVIPStore” or “AsicsWarehouseOutlet.”
However, look for subtle oddities that indicate it’s not the real deal. Authentic businesses have domains registered for long periods, not just a few months. Search the ICANN WhoIs database to check when a domain was first registered. Recently created ones in the last 6 months or less warrant further scrutiny.
Also watch for misspellings or extra words added to the URL like “AsicClearanceSale” or “AsicsShopDirect”. Scammers often register dozens of slight URL variations to cast a wide net hoping shoppers won’t notice discrepancies from the real brand name.
No Contact Information Beyond an Email Address
A core tactic scam websites use is making it impossible for customers to reach them with order concerns by only providing an email address for contact. They don’t share a real physical address or working customer service phone numbers.
Calling the provided number either indicates it’s out of service or connected to an unrelated business. Addresses shown turn out to be non-existent.
Legitimate businesses have valid contact information publicly listed on their website. Be wary of any site that lacks working phone numbers, a real street address, and methods to reach customer service.
Unbelievable Discounts of 90% or More
One of the surest giveaways of an Asics scam website is prices that seem way too good to be true. The criminals advertise deals like “90% off everything” or specific shoes discounted from $150 down to $29.
Asics rarely offers more than 25-30% off even on clearance sales through authorized dealers. If you see discounts of 50, 70 or 90% off across an entire site, it’s a major red flag you’re dealing with a counterfeit operation.
Images Appear Stolen or Photoshopped
Do a reverse image search using Google Images or Tineye on product photos from the site. Frequently the exact same pictures show up on other shady sites or Asics’ authorized dealers indicating they were stolen and reused without permission.
Scammers also often photoshop Asics shoes onto model images since they don’t have access to the official product photos. Look for sloppy editing with misaligned or low resolution images which authorized dealers would not have.
Templates and Plagiarized Content
Scam websites rarely develop original content. Instead they either fully plagiarize product descriptions, policies, and other text from authentic sites or use templated content with little unique information.
Run sections of text through a plagiarism checker like Copyscape to identify if verbiage was copied from other active sites or posted on scam sites with minor tweaks.
You’ll also notice inconsistencies in writing style, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes throughout the site since the criminals often don’t speak English fluently.
High Pressure Tactics and Fake Scarcity
Along with improbable discounts, fake Asics sites rely on tricks like countdown timers or slogans about limited quantities to make shoppers feel pressured into placing orders.
You’ll see claims that the sale ends in a few hours or that only 10 units of a particular shoe remain in stock. However, the countdowns reset and items never go out of stock.
These tactics create false scarcity intended to overcome doubts and rush shoppers into providing their information before really evaluating the legitimacy of the deals.
Enticing but Dubious Slogans
Finally, scam websites frequently use catchy, enticing slogans in their domain name, page titles, or promotions. You’ll see phrases like:
- Asics Warehouse Clearance Sale
- 90% Off Asics Outlet Store Closeout
- Asics Closing Down Sale – All Items Must Go
- Asics Liquidation Event – Limited Time Deals
Couched between legitimate sounding terms like “clearance” and “outlet,” these hooks are meant to catch shoppers’ attention. But the promises of huge closeout deals and liquidation events should raise skepticism, encouraging you to look closer rather than take the bait.
By investigating contact information, prices, images, content originality, sales tactics and slogans more closely, you can detect fraudulent Asics sites. Don’t let professional looking design and liberal use of Asics branding and logos fool you. Leverage these tips to identify scam sales and purchase safely from authorized retailers.
How to Spot Asics Scam Ads and Posts on Social Media
Scammers heavily leverage social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to promote their fake Asics sales and lure victims. Here are tips to recognize the scam on these major networks:
Identifying Asics Scams on Facebook
Look for Facebook ads or posts using attention-grabbing slogans like “Asics Warehouse Blowout Sale – Today Only!” or “90% Off Asics Store Closing Sale – Limited Time Deals”.
The images show Asics shoes or apparel at prices like $39 and below. Reverse image searches frequently show the pictures were stolen from authorized retailers.
Clicking the ad or post link goes to shady sites with some variation of “Asics” in the URL like “AsicsVIPSale” or “AsicsOutletShopOnline” rather than the official Asics site.
These are telltale signals of the scam. Facebook does remove identified scam ads when reported, but new versions constantly launch.
How to Spot Asics Instagram Scams
On Instagram, be suspicious of sponsored posts or targeted ads for Asics at prices that are too good to be true.
Scammers create accounts using handles like “@AsicsOutletStore” or “@OfficialAsicsClearanceSale” pretending to be the real company. The images and captions promote clearance sales.
But the account profiles lack any verified blue checkmark and have very few posts overall. Clickable links in bios or posts go to sketchy Asics-named URLs.
Again, reverse image searches prove the photos were stolen. These signs indicate Instagram scams to avoid.
Identifying Fake Asics Deals on TikTok
Like Facebook and Instagram, scammers make TikTok accounts with Asics branding to post videos advertising their fake warehouse sales.
The footage shows someone unboxing Asics shoes supposedly bought for 90% off. Or screenshots of the scam websites are shown alongside slogans promising huge savings.
But the accounts have no followers, likes or other engagement. Clicking the links in bios and captions leads to the shady sale websites. TikTok works to ban scam accounts when identified, but new ones quickly emerge.
YouTube Asics Scam Channels and Videos
On YouTube, be wary of channels named “Asics Outlet” or “Asics Clearance Warehouse” posting videos about clearance sales.
The videos describe getting Asics shoes for dirt cheap or show fake security footage of customers checking out with armfuls of products. They use clickbait titles like “How to Get 90% Off Asics Today Only!”
The channels have very few subscribers and stolen logos in banners. Video descriptions contain affiliate links to the scam sites. However YouTube is quick to remove the videos when submitted for review.
By following these tips, you can readily identify the common methods scammers use to promote fake Asics sales on top social networks. Avoid taking the bait of too-good-to-be-true deals and verify sellers carefully.
What to Do If You Already Fell Victim to the Scam
If you unfortunately placed an order through one of these fake Asics sales websites, here are important steps to take right away:
Contact your credit card company: Call your credit card provider immediately and explain you were the victim of fraud. Ask to dispute any charges from the scam website and have new cards reissued.
Report issues to social networks: Alert Facebook, Instagram and TikTok about the fraudulent ads and posts misusing Asics branding. Provide links and screenshots so they can remove them and disable the accounts.
Review credit reports: Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com to identify any signs of identity theft. Look for accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize and report them. Consider placing a credit freeze if needed.
Change passwords: Update passwords on all of your online accounts to new, complex passwords that are unique for each site. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for enhanced security.
Beware of recovery scams: Fake customer service numbers may show up pretending to help obtain refunds for the fraudulent orders. But they are just perpetuating the scam, so avoid them.
Report details to authorities: File reports about the scam websites, orders, and social media posts with the FTC, FBI, and Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide all details to aid investigations into these types of ecommerce scams.
The earlier you act to report unauthorized charges and accounts opened in your name, the less damage the scammers can do to your finances. Place fraud alerts, monitor your credit, and take preventative action to limit the fallout from providing data to these fraudulent sites.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Asics Clearance Sale Scam
1. What is the Asics 90% off scam?
The Asics clearance scam involves fraudulent websites that advertise huge discounts of up to 90% off on Asics shoes and apparel. Scammers create fake sites claiming to be Asics outlets, warehouses or closing sales, using stolen branding and product images. They promote the sales through social media ads and target victims with tempting deals. However, shoppers who place orders either receive low quality counterfeits or never get any items at all.
2. How do scammers create the fake websites?
The criminals register lookalike domain names with some variation of “Asics” in the URL. They design the sites to mimic the real brand’s ecommerce site using identical logos, fonts, colors and even stolen product photos. The scam sites promise clearance prices as low as $29 for shoes or 90% off everything.
3. What tricks do the sites use to pressure customers?
The fake sale pages use tactics like countdown timers or banners stating “Limited Time Deals” to create false urgency. They want shoppers to feel pressured to place orders before closely evaluating the site’s legitimacy. Limited quantity claims and other scarcity messages further push victims to buy from the scam stores before realizing they are fraudulent.
4. How do the criminals advertise the fake sales?
The scammers run sponsored posts and targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and other social networks. The ads feature Asics shoes at 90% off or other unbelievable prices. They use enticing slogans and stolen product photos to catch user’s attention and direct them to the scam sites.
5. How can you recognize the Asics clearance scam on social media?
Look for prices that are too good to be true like 90% off or $39 for a pair of shoes. Reverse image searches often show the photos are stolen. Accounts have few followers and no engagement. Links in posts and bios lead to shady URLs rather than Asics’ real site. All are telltale signs of the scam.
6. What are some of the red flags for identifying fake Asics sites?
Warning signs include recently registered domains, contact forms as the only way to reach them, and unbelievable discounts over 50% off. Low quality or copied images, plagiarized content, grammatical errors, fake scarcity tactics, and catchy slogans promising clearance sales are also giveaways.
7. What happens when you try to purchase from the scam websites?
Shoppers who try to buy from the fake Asics sales enter personal and payment information, but the discounted items never actually ship. At best, victims receive poor quality counterfeits weeks later instead of the real products ordered. More often, they receive nothing at all as the criminals take the payment and order data for fraud.
8. What should you do if already victimized by a fake Asics sale?
Immediately contact your credit card company to report the fraud and have charges reversed. Check credit reports and place fraud alerts as needed. Report the scam social media posts and websites to the platforms to have them removed. File complaints with agencies like the FTC and FBI to aid investigations.
9. How can you avoid the Asics clearance sale scam?
Only shop directly on Asics’ real website or with authorized retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sports Authority. Search ICANN WhoIs records to inspect domains. Research sellers thoroughly and avoid unbelievable discounts. Use scam identification tips to recognize fraudulent sites and social media ads.
10. Are other brands targeted with similar clearance sale scams?
Yes, scammers use this same scam tactic to create fake sales for major brands like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and more. Always verify sites are legitimate, research deals thoroughly and buy directly from brands to avoid being tricked.
The Bottom Line on the Asics 90% Off Scam
The bottom line is buyers should be extremely wary of clearance sales from unfamiliar sites offering once-in-a-lifetime prices on Asics shoes and apparel. Asics hardly ever offers more than 25-30% off list prices even during authorized sales events.
If you encounter social media advertisements for Asics at 90% off or more, it is almost certainly a scam attempt to steal your personal and payment information. These sites use fake branding and stolen product images to trick shoppers.
Your best bet is to only purchase directly from Asics’ official website or authorized retailers like Foot Locker, REI or Sports Authority that are verified sellers of authentic Asics gear. Checking for proper contact information, security seals, reasonable prices and policies can help you avoid outlet store scams.
If you did fall victim to a fake Asics sale, take immediate fraud response steps like contacting your credit card issuer so you can minimize any losses or identity theft risks. Also report the sites and social media posts to the applicable platforms and authorities to get them shut down faster and prevent further victims.
Stay vigilant for unbelievable deals, research sellers thoroughly, and trust established retailers when buying coveted brands like Asics to ensure you receive legitimate products and your information stays protected. With awareness of the warning signs, you can safely take advantage of real deals and steer clear of Asics clearance sale scams trying to trick eager shoppers.
