Beware of ‘Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale’ Scam Websites

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Recently, a series of fraudulent “Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale” websites have emerged that falsely claim the home goods retailer is having huge clearance sales. These elaborate fake sites mimic the real Bed Bath & Beyond website to trick customers. This article will reveal what these scam sites are, how they operate, and tips for spotting and avoiding the fake Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale domains.

What are the Fake Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale Sites?

The Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale scam websites refer to a network of fraudulent sites that use the Bed Bath & Beyond name, logo, images, and overall website design to mislead people into thinking they are authorized warehouse sales.

They create lookalike domains like “bbwclearancewarehouse.com” intending to deceive customers. However, Bed Bath & Beyond has not authorized any warehouse liquidation sales. The scam sites have no actual relationship with the genuine company.

Some common signs that a Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale site is fake:

  • Website URL contains the words “warehouse” or “clearance”
  • Prices on items are unusually low or discounted
  • Domain name is slightly different than the real site
  • Credit card logos appear distorted or hyperlinked
  • Misspellings, grammar errors, and typos throughout the site
  • No physical address or contact details provided

How the Fake Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale Sites Operate

The criminals behind these fake warehouse sales sites use various deceitful techniques such as:

  • Buying online ads promoting their site as an authorized Bed Bath & Beyond clearance sale
  • Making up elaborate stories about excess warehouse inventory being liquidated
  • Displaying unrealistic 70-90% off discounts on expensive merchandise
  • Providing fake 1-800 numbers and chatbots that lead nowhere
  • Charging victims’ credit cards fraudulent fees exceeding advertised prices
  • Burying terms and conditions with hidden membership fees
  • Never shipping any orders, just stealing customers’ payment information
  • Using stolen credit card numbers for additional fraudulent charges
  • Refusing refund requests and making it impossible to cancel recurring charges

The scam websites are designed to look convincingly like a real authorized Bed Bath & Beyond sale at first glance. However, the exaggerated pricing, lack of customer service, and inability to fulfill orders reveals their true intentions – to scam consumers.

What to Do If You Encountered a Fake Site

If you suspect you may have placed an order or provided information to a fraudulent Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale site, immediately take these steps:

  • Contact the real Bed Bath & Beyond to notify them of the website misusing their brand.
  • Monitor your credit card statements closely for any unauthorized charges. Dispute any suspicious transactions.
  • Check your credit reports for signs of potential identity theft. Consider placing a fraud alert.
  • Change account passwords, especially if they match any passwords used on the fake website.
  • File claims with your bank and credit card company to attempt to recover lost money paid to the scam.
  • Report the fake website to the FTC, IC3, BBB, and other agencies dedicated to combatting online retail scams.
  • Leave reviews about your experience to warn others not to trust the fraudulent sales websites.

How to Identify the Real Bed Bath & Beyond Website

When shopping online, take the following steps to verify a website is the genuine Bed Bath & Beyond site:

  • Double check the domain name ends in bedbathandbeyond.com specifically.
  • Look for the correct contact information like a working customer service number.
  • Verify the site has the padlock security icon and https protocol enabled.
  • Compare prices against the real site to identify inflated scam discounts.
  • Watch for typos, grammar issues, and other signs of an unprofessional scam operation.
  • Confirm any advertised clearance sales by calling Bed Bath & Beyond customer service before providing payment information.

Conclusion

In summary, consumers should watch out for the network of deceitful websites impersonating Bed Bath & Beyond and promoting fake warehouse sales. Take time to scrutinize site details carefully before entering personal or payment information. Report any scams you come across so legal action can be taken. With awareness and caution, shoppers can avoid the fake Bed Bath & Beyond Warehouse Sale websites and safely shop the real retailer’s legitimate site.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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