Outdoor enthusiasts beware – scammers are running rampant on social media and the web promising clearance discounts up to 90% off on your favorite Bass Pro Shops outdoor gear. But are those deals on hunting rifles and fishing tackle really the bargain of a lifetime? Or are they just an elaborate scam designed to steal your money and personal information?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how scammers are expertly impersonating Bass Pro Shops online to run fraudulent blowout sales. We’ll uncover the red flags to watch for and signs you’re dealing with a fake Bass Pro website. With the right tips, you can avoid getting hooked by these “too good to be true” schemes and instead safely land the real deals. Let’s reel in some savings the smart way!
Overview of the Bass Pro Shops 90% Off Scam
The Bass Pro Shops clearance sale scam is one of the most insidious online shopping scams currently being perpetrated against outdoors enthusiasts. Scammers are exploiting the famous Bass Pro Shops brand, which has a reputation for quality hunting, fishing, and camping gear, to fraudulently promote clearance sales promising once-in-a-lifetime deals.
These sophisticated scams are being spread through social media ads, fraudulent emails, and fake Bass Pro Shops-branded websites. For example, a Facebook ad might announce “Bass Pro Shops Going Out of Business Sale! Up to 90% off All Products This Weekend Only!” Or a website using the URL “BassProClearanceOutlet[dot]com” will prominently feature the iconic Bass Pro logo and advertise their “Limited Time Outlet Sale – Prices Slashed Over 90% Off!”
When unsuspecting shoppers click on these ads or fraudulent URLs, they are taken to convincing fake website duplicating the look and feel of a real Bass Pro Shops sale. Everything from the color scheme to the product photos is designed to trick shoppers into believing they are on the official BassPro.com website.
These elaborate scam websites will specifically promote huge markdowns on Bass Pro’s most popular gear using eye-catching slogans like:
- “Clearance Sale – All Items Up to 90% Off!”
- “Massive Warehouse Sale – All Stock Must Go!”
- “Bass Pro Shops Closing Down Sale!”
- “Final Hours! Up To 90% Off Bass Pro Gear.”
The scam websites take advantage of human psychology surrounding sales, discounts, and limited-time offers. The claims of “rock bottom prices” and “going out of business” sales tap into the fear of missing out on bargain basement deals. Countdown timers indicating the super sale is ending in mere hours also encourage hasty purchases.
To lend credibility, scam websites will display fake customer reviews and testimonials from people who claim they took advantage of the clearance prices on hunting rifles, fishing tackle, camo jackets, and camping tents. Terms like “blowout sale” and “liquidation prices” reinforce the impression of super-rare bargains.
Once shoppers start eagerly adding the deeply discounted products to their online cart, the fake Bass Pro sites require them to input personal information and credit card numbers to complete the “purchase.” Victims will provide their name, email, phone number, address, credit card details, and other sensitive data without realizing the site is an illegal scam operation.
Of course the rock-bottom-priced Bass Pro gear touted in the ads and websites will never ship. Victims are simply out whatever money they paid for products, and now scammers also have their hands on sensitive personal and financial data for identity theft purposes.
By cleverly impersonating a trusted outdoor retailer, scammers successfully dupe consumers who believe they are getting the deal of a lifetime on Bass Pro Shop camping tents, fishing gear, outdoor apparel, optics and accessories. In 2021 alone, the FBI reported that online shopping scams bilked Americans out of $337 million.
The Bass Pro Shops clearance sale scam serves as a sobering reminder that consumers must be vigilant and watch out for key red flags when shopping online. If a deal looks too good to be true, approach with extreme caution rather than letting the fear of missing out overrule sound judgment.
How the Bass Pro Shops Clearance Sale Scam Works
Scammers use a variety of deceitful tactics to successfully pull off the fake Bass Pro Shops clearance sale scam. Here is a step-by-step look at exactly how these cons operate.
Step 1: Scammers Create Fake Websites and Ads
The first step for scammers is to design websites and social media advertisements that look convincingly like legitimate offers from Bass Pro Shops. They often closely mimic the iconic Bass Pro Shops logo, color schemes, and product images.
These scam websites will specifically include tantalizing claims about major clearance sales, closing down sales, or liquidation sales. Scammers also create Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok ads that drive traffic to their fake sites.
Step 2: Fake Sites Promise Unreasonable Discounts on Gear
Once shoppers arrive at the scam websites, they are greeted with unbelievable discounts of up to 90% off all products sitewide. The scam landing pages will list famous Bass Pro gear like hunting clothes, camo jackets, rods & reels, and optics for jaw-dropping prices.
For example, a $300 fishing rod will be shown discounted down to just $29. A $600 Coleman tent will be listed at $49. These prices are absurdly low for brand name sporting goods, but scammers use them to entice bargain seekers.
Step 3: Scam Sites Encourage Quick Purchases
To turn site visitors into scam victims, the fake Bass Pro pages utilize high-pressure sales tactics. Shoppers will see countdown timers warning the incredible deals are expiring soon. Banner ads across the site urge visitors to buy before the limited-time sale ends.
Fake customer reviews and testimonials provide false social proof about people who’ve taken advantage of the clearance prices. These tactics spur shoppers to quickly add items to their cart and complete the checkout process.
Step 4: Shoppers Input Personal and Payment Information
When a customer is ready to purchase the too-good-to-be-true deals in their cart, they are prompted to enter personal, shipping, and payment information like with any e-commerce transaction.
Scam sites will collect full names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, CVV codes, and other sensitive data from victims under the guise of processing orders. This information can then be used or sold by scammers for identity theft and financial fraud purposes.
Step 5: No Products Shipped, Data Stolen
After submitting payment and personal information, victims soon realize they have been scammed. No ultra-discounted Bass Pro Shops products ever arrive, and attempts to contact the sham website go unanswered.
In the best case, victims are simply out the money they prepaid for merchandise that will never ship. But worse, scammers now have their sensitive personal and financial data. Fake sites quickly disappear, leaving users with no way to reclaim stolen money or information.
How to Identify Fake Bass Pro Shops Websites – 9 Red Flags to Watch For
Scammers go to great lengths to make their fake Bass Pro Shops websites look convincing. However, upon closer inspection there are crucial red flags that give away their illegitimacy. Watch out for these tell-tale signs you are dealing with a fraudulent site seeking to steal your money and information.
1. Prices Discounted Over 50% Off
Genuine Bass Pro Shops clearance sales will typically max out price reductions around 50% off. Be very wary of any site advertising 70, 80 or even 90% off all products. These unrealistic prices are a clear warning sign you are on a scam website.
2. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Scam sites will utilize countdown timers or banners urging you to purchase immediately before the outrageous deals expire. Claims of limited quantities and one-time closeout prices are additional red flags of a fraudulent operation.
3. Lack of Contact Information
Authentic retailers will provide phone numbers, physical addresses, and customer service options. Fake sites often only list email addresses that go unmonitored after your payment data is collected.
4. Grammatical Errors and Typos
Sloppy writing filled with spelling mistakes indicates scam sites. Legitimate Bass Pro Shops-affiliated websites will be professionally edited for grammar and accuracy.
5. No Social Media Presence
Cross reference the site with Facebook and Instagram to see if they have an authentic social media presence. Most scams will not go through the effort of building real profiles.
6. Logo and Branding Mismatches
While scammers may lift some product photos, closer examination will reveal inconsistencies in logo usage and branding that differ from the real Bass Pro Shops website.
7. Domain Registered Recently
Conduct a “WhoIs” search on the domain name registration. Scam websites are often registered within the past several months or years.
8. Bargain-Focused Copy and Images
Scam sites rely heavily on mouthwatering photos of gear and copy about “rock bottom” or “blowout” clearance pricing in hopes of manipulating shoppers guided by emotions rather than logic.
9. Too Good to Be True Deals
At the end of the day, deals that sound too good to be true always are. Use your best judgment and be wary when prices seem unbelievably low for a trusted brand like Bass Pro Shops.
Carefully watching for these 9 warning signs will empower you to discern the fraudulent Bass Pro sites from legitimate e-commerce stores or sanctioned clearance sales. Avoid letting unbelievable prices overwhelm your senses – verifying legitimacy is the key to getting real deals while avoiding scams.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
How to Identify Fake Bass Pro Shops Ads on Facebook and Instagram
Scammers heavily utilize Facebook and Instagram to promote their fraudulent 90% off Bass Pro Shops deals through targeted ads. While scrolling through your feeds, watch for these telltale signs that a Bass Pro “blowout sale” ad is an outright scam:
- Unbelievably low prices like 90% off all products sitewide
- High pressure tactics and time-limited offers – “24 hour sale!”
- URL leads to a different domain than BassPro.com
- Little to no follower engagement on the account
- Account was created recently or has limited/stock images
- No evidence of real Bass Pro affiliation or authorization
- Comments seem overwhelmingly fake or copied between posts
On Facebook, click the “Page Transparency” box to check when the account was created and location. Carefully scrutinize Instagram accounts for follow and engagement irregularities. Seek out verified checkmarks indicating legitimacy.
With rampant fraud on social platforms, always dig deeper before clicking on promotional Bass Pro ads – no matter how mouthwatering the deals may seem.
Identifying Fake Bass Pro Shops Videos on TikTok
Increasingly scammers are leveraging TikTok using fake AI-generated videos depicting amazing Bass Pro Shops blowout sales and giveaways. Here are 5 ways to discern fraudulent Bass Pro content on TikTok:
- Stock animation and logo reveal visuals instead of real store footage
- Computerized voiceovers, not real people describing deals
- Links in bios and captions route to sketchy domains
- Offering implausible freebies like “entire cart free” at checkout
- Accounts have limited followers and video engagement
As TikTok emerges as a hot new avenue for scammers, users need to approach giveaways and huge deals critically. Check for verified account badges, real store imagery, and credible engagement before clicking on links or believing sensational claims. If something looks too good to be true, proceed with extreme caution.
What to Do If You Have Been Scammed
If you believe you have fallen victim to a fake Bass Pro Shops website scam, take the following steps right away to limit damage and prevent further fraud.
Step 1: Contact Your Bank and Credit Cards
Call your bank and any credit card company used on the scam site immediately. Alert them to the fraudulent charges so payments can be stopped and cards can be blocked from further use.
Step 2: Place Fraud Alert on Your Credit
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file. This will make it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.
Step 3: Reset All Account Passwords
Change the passwords on every online account associated with the email or passwords used on the scam site as a security precaution. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Step 4: Monitor Your Credit Reports
Keep a close watch over your credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for any signs of identity theft like new accounts or inquiries. Check your reports at least once every three months.
Step 5: File Complaints About the Scam
Report the fake website to the FTC and IC3 to help authorities track and stop these scams. Submit copies of any fraudulent emails or site details as evidence.
By taking quick action, scam victims can halt payments, prevent additional fraud, and initiate complaints to report these crimes and avoid repeat victimization.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bass Pro Shops Clearance Sale Scam
1. What is the Bass Pro Shops 90% off scam?
The Bass Pro Shops 90% off scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers create fake websites and social media ads disguising themselves as authorized Bass Pro Shops outlets offering clearance sales of up to 90% off all products. The scam sites urge shoppers to hurry and purchase deeply discounted items. However, no products are ever shipped, and users’ personal and financial data is stolen.
2. How do I identify a fake Bass Pro Shops website?
Some red flags that indicate a Bass Pro website is a scam include prices discounted over 50% off, high-pressure sales tactics like countdown timers, lack of contact information, grammatical errors, no social media presence, and new domain registrations within the past year.
3. What techniques do the scam websites use?
Scam sites use extremely low prices like 90% off to entice shoppers, fake reviews and false scarcity claims to create urgency, and terms like “clearance sale” and “going out of business” to appear legitimate. Links are spread via social media ads and spam emails.
4. What information do the scam websites steal?
The fake sites collect users’ full names, shipping addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, CVV codes, and other personal data under the guise of processing orders that are never fulfilled.
5. What should I do if I shared my information with a scam site?
If you provided your info to a scam site, immediately contact your bank and credit card companies to halt payments. Place a fraud alert on your credit, reset account passwords, monitor your credit reports, and file complaints with the FTC and IC3.
6. How can I avoid Bass Pro Shops online scams?
Only shop directly on BassPro.com, not through emailed links or social media ads. Verify seller legitimacy, watch for red flags like unrealistic discounts, and beware high-pressure sales tactics on suspicious sites.
7. Can I report a fraudulent Bass Pro Shops website?
Yes, report scam sites immediately to the Bass Pro Shops corporate office. You can also file an online scam complaint directly with the FBI at IC3.gov and notify the FTC to help authorities track these scams.
8. Are other major retailers also targeted in similar clearance scams?
Yes, scammers create fake websites impersonating sales for many major retailers to lure bargain hunters, including brands like Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, Wayfair, and Cabela’s. Always verify legitimacy before providing payment info.
9. What further steps can I take to avoid online shopping scams?
Stick to official company websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases, look up unfamiliar sites on WhoIs domain registry, and read reviews to confirm other customers received goods. Enabling two-factor authentication can also help secure accounts.
10. What should I do if I ordered something from a scam Bass Pro site?
If you placed an order via a fraudulent website, immediately call your bank to halt the charges before contacting Bass Pro Shops customer service to report the scam purchase. You can also file a complaint with the FTC regarding the fraud.
The Bottom Line
In summary, clearance sale scams impersonating famous retailers like Bass Pro Shops pose a real threat for online shoppers eager to score a bargain. Armed with the right information, consumers can recognize the deceptive tactics and telltale signs of these fraudulent sites.
Sticking to the official Bass Pro Shops website, being wary of unbelievable discounts over 50% off, and watching for red flags are key ways to stay safe. If you do become the victim of an online shopping scam, act quickly to halt payments, protect your identity, and report the fraud to relevant agencies.
By exercising reasonable precautions and vigilance during online shopping, Bass Pro fans can snag the gear they need and want at fair prices without getting reeled in by predatory scams simply out to steal money and data. When a deal seems just too good to be true, it always is. But the real Bass Pro Shops website offers honest sales and a trusted source for outdoor equipment for all your adventures.
Key Takeaways:
- Scammers create fake Bass Pro Shops websites and social media ads promising clearance discounts up to 90% off to lure in victims.
- Tactics like countdown timers and exaggerated claims of limited quantities encourage impulse purchases before shoppers scrutinize the scam closely.
- No products are ever shipped, and personal/financial data is stolen once payments are submitted.
- Watch for unbelievable prices, high-pressure sales tactics, and lack of contact information when identifying scams.
- Immediately contact banks, credit bureaus, and authorities if you are the victim of a fraudulent website scheme.
- Only shop on the official BassPro.com site, follow warning signs, and use credit cards to keep your data safe.
