Cobble Hill is a popular puzzle brand known for their gorgeous artwork and high-quality, snug-fitting pieces. They spark joy in puzzle lovers hunting for their next satisfying solving experience. This popularity has unfortunately caught the eye of scammers seeking to profit from the Cobble Hill name.
Recently, ads have emerged on social media promoting Cobble Hill puzzle clearance sales with extreme discounts up to 90% off. However, clicking these ads leads to shady websites, not authorized Cobble Hill retailers. Unsuspecting shoppers place orders but receive subpar knockoff puzzles at best, and at worst, nothing at all.
This article reveals everything about this scam so you can avoid being swindled when looking for discounted Cobble Hill treasures.
Overview of the Scam
The scam typically starts with flashy social media advertisements promoting Cobble Hill puzzle clearance sales with unbelievable discounts up to 90% off retail prices. For example, ads show popular 1000 piece puzzles like the Brambly Hedge series available for only $7.99 instead of the regular $20+ price tag. 500 piece puzzles are advertised at an absurdly low $6.99 each.
These ads are designed to catch the eye of passionate puzzlers with their unrealistic low prices and urgency-inducing slogans like “Limited time only!” and “Free shipping!” When intrigued shoppers click on the ads, they are redirected to recently created ecommerce websites set up by scammers to masquerade as authorized Cobble Hill retailers.
At first glance, the scam sites convincingly mimic legitimate online puzzle stores with Cobble Hill’s signature branding, fonts, logos, and even images and product descriptions stolen directly from CobbleHillPuzzles.com. However, various subtle but important details indicate their fraudulent nature.
These scam sites generally have domain creation dates within the past couple months. They also lack basic legitimate business information beyond a simple contact email address. Phone numbers, business addresses, and leadership contacts are missing.
The scam sites additionally have no social media trail linking them to the Cobble Hill brand. And their domain names tend to be simplistic and impersonal like “CobbleHillPuzzleOutletStore” rather than unique official URLs.
While the sites allow shoppers to seemingly place orders for improbably discounted puzzles, the reality ends badly. Victims either receive absolutely nothing, low-quality knockoff puzzles made with inferior materials, or random products like cheap sunglasses that have zero relation to what was ordered.
By posting socially viral ads promising clearance puzzle deals then directing shoppers to mock ecommerce stores, these scammers bank on tricking passionate puzzlers out of their money while dashing hopes of scoring discounted Cobble Hill treasures.
How the Puzzle Clearance Sale Scam Works
Here is an in-depth look at how scammers carry out this exploitative scam:
1. Scammers Create Social Media Ads
Criminals set the bait by designing flashy social media ads touting clearance sales on Cobble Hill puzzles with extreme 90% discounts. The ads copy legitimate branding and images directly from the Cobble Hill website to look authentic in order to drive traffic to their scam sites.
2. Shoppers Visit Fake Ecommerce Sites
Intrigued deal-seekers click on the social media ads which redirect them to phony ecommerce websites recently set up by scammers. At first glance, the fake sites convincingly mimic authorized Cobble Hill retailers with familiar branding and images.
3. Shoppers Place Orders on Scam Websites
Believing the sites are legitimate, shoppers browse discounted puzzles and place orders. The sites allow them to fill virtual shopping carts, enter payment info, and complete the fraudulent transactions—redirecting money into the scammers’ pockets.
4. Shoppers Receive Counterfeit or Unrelated Products
While some customers receive nothing for their money, others report receiving cheap Cobble Hill knockoffs made from inferior materials compared to authentic puzzles. Alternatively, some victims have received random, low-cost products like sunglasses that have no relation to what was ordered.
How to Spot Fake Cobble Hill Puzzle Sites
While scam websites may look convincing at first glance, a careful eye can detect red flags including:
1. Unbelievable Discounts
Real Cobble Hill puzzles almost never see discounts beyond 50%, making promises of 90% off a telltale clue of a scam. Such extreme price slashes should raise suspicion.
2. Recently Created Sites
Scam websites often appear brand new, with domain creation dates within the past couple months. This indicates a fraudulent web presence set up to cash in on the scam.
3. Plagiarized Content
Scammers lift product images, descriptions, and other content directly from legitimate Cobble Hill sites which is a clear red flag.
4. Lack of Contact Information
While official Cobble Hill pages list full contact details, scam sites will be missing key information beyond an email address.
5. No Social Media Presence
Authorized dealers link to Cobble Hill’s social channels, but scam sites lack any social media trail beyond the ads that promoted them.
6. Generic Store Names and Templates
Amateur scammers lack creativity, using generic names like “CobbleHillPuzzlesOutlet” and basic templates.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
Scammers promote the fraudulent Cobble Hill puzzle deals on various social media platforms to reach the widest possible audiences. Here is how to spot the scam on three major networks.
Spotting the Scam on Facebook
On Facebook, the scam ads can appear in your regular feed, even shared by friends who fell for fake deals. The ads look authentic with Cobble Hill’s iconic branding and puzzle imagery. Headlines boast eye-catching clearance sales like “Entire Store 90% Off!”
However, it’s important to inspect the actual Facebook page that created the ads. Scam pages tend to have very recent creation dates, generic names like “CobbleHillPuzzleDeals,” and no posts beyond a flurry of paid ads. With no reviews and zero followers, they lack engagement and credibility.
You should also check where the ads link to when clicked. Scam landing pages have all the red flags covered earlier like unbelievable prices for 1000 piece puzzles under $10 and missing contact info.
Spotting the Scam on Instagram
On Instagram, scam puzzle ads materialize in feeds or Stories, using the platform’s shopping features to entice. The ads implement Cobble Hill’s signature look and feel with beautiful puzzle images touting clearance sales.
Yet a closer look often reveals recently created accounts with generic handles like “@CobbleHill_PuzzlesSale” and no followers. Many have zero posts and only advertise in Stories or use paid Instagram ads.
As with Facebook, clicking on shoppable tags and links in scam Ig ads goes to fraudulent landing pages outside Instagram using fake discount codes to lure visitors into entering personal information.
Spotting the Scam on TikTok
For TikTok, deceptive puzzle ads show up in Feeds looking like any other video using attention-grabbing on-screen text about clearance events on Cobble Hill puzzles and catchy captions overlayed on branded images or short clips.
Suspicious posts to watch for come from accounts with no previous authentic content related to puzzles or creativity. The accounts often have creation dates within the last couple months and low view counts on their other videos.
Redirect links may use URL shorteners but send users to outside scam websites boasting unbelievable deals just waiting for customers to provide credit cards and unwittingly finance the criminals.
By inspecting social media accounts behind advertised deals and analyzing landing pages, puzzlers can avoid handing money and personal data to scam artists masquerading as authorized Cobble Hill retailers. Verifying credibility on platforms giving scammers anonymity protects passionate puzzle lovers pursuing discounts on beloved brands.
What to Do if Scammed on a Puzzle Order
If you placed an order through a fake site and suspect you have been scammed, take the following steps:
Report the Incident
File reports regarding the scam website, domain, and any related social media ads to alert internet platforms and regulators about the threat to other shoppers.
Notify Your Credit Card Company
Call your credit card company immediately to report the fraudulent charge. Cancel any cards linked to compromised accounts and request replacements.
Monitor Your Credit Reports and Statements
Carefully review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for any signs of suspicious activity, like new accounts opened without your permission. Also monitor credit card and bank statements closely for other fraudulent charges.
Change Online Account Passwords
If you reused the same password between the scam website and any other accounts, quickly change it on all of your other accounts to protect them from potential access by scammers.
Beware of Phishing Schemes
Unfortunately victims’ compromised personal information often ends up on black markets. Watch for any suspicious emails or texts fishing for additional sensitive data through links and attachments. Avoid clicking anything from unknown senders.
Only Shop Secure, Authorized Retailers
Learn from this experience and be extra cautious when seeking deals online, sticking to reputable retailers. Check that sites use secure checkout and review privacy policies before entering your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there really deep discounts on Cobble Hill puzzles being advertised?
No. Claims of 70% or 90% off all Cobble Hill puzzles are always too good to be true. Authorized sellers rarely discount Cobble Hill puzzles more than 50%. Prices over 75% off are clear red flags of a scam.
Can I tell if a Cobble Hill puzzle website is legitimate or fake?
Yes, there are key signs of scam sites, like prices too cheap to be real, missing contact info, plagiarized images and content, and recent domain registration dates. Authentic sellers have business addresses, real contact details, secure checkout, and reasonable prices closer to MSRP.
I ordered from a site with an amazing clearance sale. Should I be worried?
Yes, be very concerned. Scam websites lure in victims with unrealistic low costs on Cobble Hill puzzles before sending worthless counterfeits or random junk you did not order. Call your bank to try stopping payments to likely fraudulent retailers.
Are the ads for Cobble Hill clearance sales I saw on Instagram valid?
Likely not. Scammers routinely run fake Cobble Hill puzzle ads on social platforms routing to bogus websites to rip off shoppers. Check account ages, follower counts, landing page credibility, and insane discount claims before believing advertised sales.
Can I get my money back if I fell for the Cobble Hill puzzle scam?
If you used a credit card, contest the charges with your provider emphasizing the retailer was fraudulent. Unfortunately payments via bank transfers, PayPal, and gift cards likely cannot be recovered. Be very cautious of unbelievable future deals, or stick to physical Cobble Hill retailers to avoid repeat victimization.
How can I report fake Cobble Hill puzzle websites I come across?
First, report the scam to the FTC to help document instances of fraud. Alert social networks like Facebook if that’s where you spotted ads leading to scam websites. You can also contact domain registrars responsible for safely registering sites pulling off these scams against the passionate puzzling community.
What precautions can I take to avoid clearance sale scams?
Be skeptical of discounts over 50% from little known sellers, check site reputation through reviews and complaint filings, only provide payment info over secure checkout connections, scrutinize domain age and legitimacy, and avoid entering personal information after clicking on social media ads from sketchy oranonymous accounts.
Staying vigilant against unbelievable deals and inspecting seller credibility protects against too good to be true clearance scam heartbreak while hunting for Cobble Hill’s coveted jigsaw puzzles.
The Bottom Line on Fake Puzzle Sales
In their hunt for discounted Cobble Hill puzzles, shoppers must be vigilant against clearance sale scams promoted on social platforms but leading to fraudulent sites. Warning signs like unbelievable prices, plagiarized content, and lack of seller details help detect sham ecommerce operations targeting the puzzle fanbase. Spreading awareness and reporting these fake promotions remains key to protecting other shoppers searching for Cobble Hill’s coveted brain-stumping designs. When examining clearance deals closely, genuine discounted puzzle pleasure can be yours for the taking.
