Beware Of ‘Bed Bath & Beyond Stock Clearance’ Scam Websites

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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If you are a fan of Bed Bath & Beyond, you might have seen some ads or websites claiming to have a massive stock clearance sale for the popular home goods retailer. However, before you get tempted by the offers of up to 90% off on bedding, bath, kitchen, and other items, you should be aware that these are scam websites that aim to steal your money and personal information. In this article, we will explain what these scam websites are, how they operate, what to do if you have fallen victim, and how to avoid them in the future.

Bed Bath Beyond Stock Clearance Scam Websites

What are the Bed Bath & Beyond Stock Clearance Scam Websites?

The Bed Bath & Beyond stock clearance scam websites are fake online shopping sites that pretend to have a closeout sale for Bed Bath & Beyond. They use the name and logo of the legitimate company, but they have nothing to do with it. They also use domain names that are similar to the official website, such as bedbathandbeyondclearance.com, bedbathandbeyondliquidation.com, or bedbathandbeyondsale.com. However, these domains are not registered by Bed Bath & Beyond, and they are not secure or trustworthy.

How do the Bed Bath & Beyond Stock Clearance Scam Websites operate?

The scam websites lure customers with attractive prices and discounts on various products that are supposedly from Bed Bath & Beyond. They claim that they are having a store closing sale and that everything must be sold.

However, these statements are false and misleading. The products that are displayed on the scam websites are either stolen images from other sources or non-existent items that will never be delivered. The scam websites also ask customers to provide their credit card details, billing address, shipping address, email address, and phone number. However, this information is not used to process the orders, but to charge unauthorized payments or to sell them to other scammers.

What to do if you have fallen victim?

If you already entered your personal or credit card information into one of the fraudulent stock clearance websites, take these steps right away:

  • Contact your credit card company to report fraudulent charges and have the card canceled and reissued. Monitor statements closely for further abuse of the stolen card number.
  • Check your credit reports thoroughly for any signs of new accounts opened in your name or other identity theft. Place fraud alerts and freeze credit if needed.
  • File complaints with the FTC, BBB, and IC3 reporting the fraudulent website you encountered. Provide screenshots and details.
  • Search online to see if others were scammed by the same fake website and add your own reviews warning people.
  • If you receive any suspicious packages not ordered, refuse delivery or mark return to sender. Don’t open merchandise never purchased.
  • Change account passwords if you reused the same one across multiple sites, especially for financial accounts and emails.

Warning Signs of the Scam Websites

Here are some red flags to help spot the fraudulent stock clearance websites:

  • The URL contains words like “clearance”, “liquidation”, or “closing” instead of the real “bedbathandbeyond.com”.
  • Prices on items are abnormally low, like high-end products discounted 70%+ which is unrealistic.
  • The domain name is slightly misspelled like “bedbathnbbeyond” or “bedbathandbeyond”.
  • The site promotes a rushed liquidation sale ending very soon to create false urgency.
  • No physical address or customer service contact information is provided.
  • The product selection does not match Bed Bath & Beyond’s actual inventory.
  • There are grammar, formatting, and spelling errors throughout the site.
  • Customer reviews are completely absent.

If a website shows any of these signs, it can definitively be considered a fake. Do not enter payment information or attempt to place an order.

The Bottom Line

The Bed Bath & Beyond stock clearance scam websites are a common online shopping scam that targets unsuspecting customers who are looking for bargains. They use the name and reputation of a legitimate company to trick people into giving away their money and personal information. However, these websites are not affiliated with Bed Bath & Beyond, and they do not deliver any products or services. To avoid falling for this scam, you should always check the domain name and the security of the website before making any purchases online. You should also avoid clicking on ads or links that offer too-good-to-be-true deals or discounts. You should also verify the authenticity of the website by contacting the official customer service of Bed Bath & Beyond or by visiting their official website.

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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