Danner has earned a sterling reputation for rugged, high-performance boots worn by hikers, workers, and military personnel alike. But scammers are exploiting Danner’s trusted name to dupe shoppers through fraudulent websites and social media ads promoting clearance sales with prices slashed up to 90% off.
This in-depth guide will uncover how these fake Danner boot sales work, red flags to watch for, and most vitally, how to keep your money and information safe when shopping for Danner online.
Overview of the Danner Boot Clearance Sale Scam
Danner has rightfully earned the respect and loyalty of outdoorsmen, workers, law enforcement, and military service members since its founding in 1932. For nearly a century, Danner’s meticulous construction and rugged materials have given these professionals the tough, comfortable boots they need to take on the most demanding conditions and terrain.
But in the internet age, Danner’s outstanding reputation has also caught the attention of unscrupulous scammers seeking to exploit that hard-won trust. These online criminals set up sophisticated fake ecommerce websites designed to mirror the look and feel of the real Danner Boots website. The scam sites prominently display the Danner logo and showcase popular Danner styles like the Mountain Light, Bull Run Moc Toe, and Pronghorn.
To lure in victims, the fraudulent sites advertise eye-catching “blowout” clearance sales with prices slashed up to 90% off. For example, a pair of Danner’s premium leather combat boots normally $300 might be listed for “just” $39. Or Danner’s $500 Legend hunting boots discounted to $49. These dramatic markdowns are only a façade meant to dupe shoppers though.
When customers place orders through the fake sites expecting to receive quality Danner boots at an unbelievable bargain, harsh reality sets in. The sites have absolutely no connection to the real Danner company. At best, victims eventually receive cheap counterfeit boots clearly not made by Danner.
But frequently, excited customers report never receiving any boots at all after placing orders on the scam websites. The rock-bottom prices were a total scam intended to fleece shoppers out of their money. Even worse, victims also handed over their personal information and credit card numbers directly to the crooks running the sham sites. This leaves them vulnerable to devastating identity theft and credit card fraud by the scammers.
By advertising prices that seem impossible to pass up, the fraudsters hook bargain seekers trusting that a legendary brand like Danner would never actually offer 90% off deals. The harsh truth is that deals offering more than 50% off on premium products are almost always too good to be true though. Scammers bank on manipulating shopper’s fear of missing out to make them act rashly.
These professional-looking fake Danner websites pop up constantly, often getting promoted via social media ads targeted at those likely to be in the market for work boots. They exploit interest in Danner’s specialty boots for hikers, hunters, and tradespeople who respect the brand’s long legacy. But wise shoppers will take care to research websites thoroughly and look for warning signs before attempting to score deals online. Paying attention to red flags can protect your wallet and identity from these insidious clearance scams.
How the Danner Boots Clearance Scam Unfolds
Swindlers have devised clever techniques for ensnaring victims into their Danner Boot clearance scam. Here is an inside look at how the deception typically plays out:
Step 1: Construct convincing fake Danner websites
Great lengths are taken to make the fraudulent sites appear nearly identical to a real Danner Boots ecommerce store. The Danner logo is plastered throughout. Product photos are stolen from Danner’s website to depict popular styles like the Bull Run Moc Toe or Mountain Light. The site has features you’d expect like shopping cart, customer accounts, product categories, and sizing guides.
To appear even more legitimate, the sites list a customer service phone number and physical address. However, any contact info leads nowhere or to an unrelated business. Still, the sophisticated designs help make the sites seem believable.
Step 2: Promote fake sales heavily on social media
Once built, the scammers concentrate on driving traffic to their fraudulent sites through social media ads and posts. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow targeting users likely to be interested in Danner boots with specific demographics and interests.
The ads tout the fictional blowout Danner sales, such as “Danner Boot Warehouse Clearance – Prices Slashed Over 90% This Weekend Only!” When users click on the compelling ads, they get directed to the phony websites to place orders. The social promotion lends credibility.
Step 3: Dupe shoppers into purchasing nothing of value
On the fake sites, photos of premium Danner boots are displayed with prices slashed from $500 down to $39. Countdown timers pressure shoppers to quickly add boots to their cart before the false sale expires.
In reality, they have unlimited worthless products. Once payments are submitted, victims discover they were tricked by fraudulent discounts.
Step 4: Gather customers’ payment details and personal info
To finish checkout, the scam sites require inputting personal and payment data including full name, physical address, phone number, email address, and credit card information. All this sensitive intel goes straight into the hands of scammers running the fake Danner websites.
With this trove of personal data, criminals can easily commit identity theft or make unauthorized charges using your card or banking info. Shopping what appeared to be amazing deals only results in becoming a victim.
Step 5: Never ship the promised Danner boots
After submitting payment, excited customers eagerly await cheap prices on authentic Danner boots. But the boots never arrive. Many report never even receiving shipping confirmations. Some victims eventually get fake tracking numbers.
Others receive cheap counterfeits clearly not Danner boots they ordered. Either way, victims are scammed out of their hard-earned money and get nothing but heartache in return.
By the time shoppers realize it’s a scam, it’s too late – the fraudsters already stole private financial information and money from well-intentioned people seeking deals. Learning the warning signs is key to avoiding this fraud.
How to Spot Fake Danner Boot Websites
While the fraudulent Danner boot sites may look remarkably convincing, there are a number of red flags that can help protect savvy shoppers from getting scammed. When shopping for deals online, take time to thoroughly vet any website advertising rock-bottom Danner prices:
Excessively Low Prices Are a Dead Giveaway
Genuine, well-made Danner boots are not going to be priced at 90% off or $29. The boots are premium products crafted to high standards. Severely discounted prices like 70%+ off retail should immediately ring alarm bells. Authentic authorized dealers will offer maximum discounts around 20-30% for Danner products. Prices that seem too good to be true invariably are.
Double Check the Domain Name and Registration
Take a close look at the domain name, and research when it was registered. Fake sites tend to use recently registered domains containing random numbers or words. Use tools like Whois.com to check the domain’s registration date. Genuine retailers will have domains registered years ago.
Verify Contact Information
Authentic retailers always provide a legitimate phone number and physical address you can use to contact them if needed. Scam websites typically only list an email address. And any number or address shown will be fake or non-working. Check that full working contact details are available.
Look for Overuse of Stock Photos
A big clue of a scam is the over-reliance on generic stock photos rather than unique product photos. Fraudsters steal images from the official Danner website to populate their fake site. Carefully scrutinize the product photos for signs they are simply copied stock images, not original pictures. This is a common scam technique.
Avoid Sites with No Customer Reviews
Authentic retailers encourage buyer reviews, both on their website as well as independent review sites. Carefully research the website and look for reviews on other reputable sites. Be suspicious if there are zero reviews anywhere, as that likely indicates a fraudulent retailer.
Watch for Odd Slogans and High-Pressure Tactics
Phrases like “Going out of business sale” or “Today only” are red flags. Genuine retailers won’t resort to high-pressure sales tactics. Discounted prices will also be reasonable, not over 50% off. Don’t fall for slogans intended to trigger impulse buying.
Ensure a Secure SSL Connection
Legitimate ecommerce websites will have SSL encryption protecting your data. Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon. Click the lock to verify the SSL certificate. Lack of SSL means you should avoid entering any sensitive info on that site.
Trust Your Instincts
If anything seems off about a website, trust your intuition. Search online for reviews and complaints before purchasing. And never submit personal or card details into unfamiliar sites you haven’t fully vetted. Using common sense goes a long way in identifying frauds impersonating trusted brands like Danner.
By taking the time to thoroughly analyze websites rather than jumping at deals, consumers can take advantage of real Danner sales while avoiding falling victim to convincing clearance scams.
How to Identify Danner Boot Scams on Social Media
In addition to fake websites, scammers also leverage social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote their fake Danner boot deals. Here’s what to look out for on each platform:
Catching Danner Scams on Facebook
- Watch for Facebook ads promoting Danner at absurdly low prices like 90% off or $39 boots. Legitimate discounts will be no higher than 30%.
- Reverse image search any product photos used. Scammers typically steal official images from Danner’s website and catalogs. Matching results indicate a scam.
- Click on the Page name running the ads. Verify they have a blue checkmark indicating a real business. Lack of verification points to an impersonator.
- Check for mentions of the Page being a scam in reviews and comments. Use caution if other users report fake products or no delivery.
- Research the Page history for sudden name changes. Fraud pages often switch names to evade detection once reported.
How to Avoid Danner Scams on Instagram
- Look out for Instagram ads touting Danner boots at unbelievable prices like $500 boots discounted to $29. That’s a huge red flag for a scam.
- Reverse image search product photos used in Instagram posts. Scammers often steal photos from Danner’s official Instagram and Pinterest accounts.
- Check user reviews on the seller’s profile. Lack of any reviews or mention of scam activity in comments should raise alarms.
- Click through the seller’s location tag. Scam accounts use vague locations like “Boise, Idaho” instead of actual store addresses.
- Beware Instagram influencers promoting Danner deals in sponsored posts. They may have been paid by scammers to lure in victims.
Avoiding Danner Boot Scams on TikTok
- Search for the product you want to buy and analyze shoppable video reviews promoting it. Fake demonstrations using stock footage indicate a scam.
- Engage cautiously with high performing videos. Scammers pay for fake views, likes and comments to boost credibility.
- Reverse image search product photos used in posts. Matching results point to recycled media, not unique products.
- Vet sellers making unbelievable claims like $300 Danner boots discounted to $39. Search for evidence of past scamming.
- Watch for urgent captions like “Selling out fast!” or “Today Only!”. Scammers use false scarcity claims to create hasty purchases.
Carefully scrutinizing seller credibility and claims on social channels is crucial. Spotting the warning signs of Danner boot scams protects your wallet and identity.
What To Do If You Are Scammed By a Fake Danner Website
If you placed an order on a scam site impersonating Danner and received nothing or knockoffs, take these steps right away:
- Contact your credit card provider – Report the fraud and request an immediate chargeback. Act fast, as chargeback rights expire. Quick action is key for getting reimbursed.
- Scrutinize statements closely – Watch for any additional unauthorized charges by scammers with your stolen card number. Report any suspicious transactions ASAP.
- Change passwords – If you reused the same password elsewhere, change it immediately on all other accounts to protect yourself. Use strong unique passwords.
- Freeze credit – Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to implement a credit freeze keeping criminals from opening new accounts in your name.
- Check for identity theft – Monitor your credit reports and bank statements for any fraudulent activity indicating stolen identity. Report any suspicious findings immediately.
- Report fake sites – Submit details of the scam to the FTC and IC3 to get fraudulent sites investigated and taken down. The more victims who report, the better.
- Consult professionals – If your identity is compromised, you may need to enlist credit repair services or attorneys to resolve damages.
Quick action is critical to maximize chances of recovering lost money and preventing further damages from stolen financial information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fake Danner Boot Clearance Sales
Danner has built up decades of trust and loyalty by producing rugged, comfortable boots for demanding jobs and terrains. But unfortunately, online scammers are exploiting Danner’s reputation to rip people off through fake clearance sales. This FAQ covers key questions about how to spot and avoid these Danner boot scams.
What is the Danner clearance scam?
Fraudsters create fake websites made to look like an authorized Danner retailer. They lure shoppers in with deals like 90% off Danner boots that normally cost several hundred dollars. However, the sites are complete scams designed to steal your money and information.
How can I recognize a fake Danner website?
Watch for absurdly low prices, new domain names, only email contacts, stock photos, lack of reviews, missing SSL, grammatical errors, high-pressure slogans, and inability to find a real physical address. These are clear signs of a scam.
Why are the prices on these sites so low?
The deeply discounted prices like $500 boots for $39 are intended to hook bargain shoppers. No legitimate retailer sells authentic Danner boots for anywhere near 90% off. The low prices are a scam tactic.
Will I get real Danner boots if I order from these sites?
Absolutely not. The websites have no affiliation with Danner. Customers either receive cheap counterfeits or random items totally unrelated to boots. Many report never receiving anything at all after payment.
Is it safe to enter payment information on these websites?
No, never share your credit card or other personal information on dubious websites. The sites exist solely to obtain your data for financial fraud and identity theft. Only shop trusted sites.
How can I get a refund if scammed?
Unfortunately, getting a refund is very difficult since the retailers are fake. Immediately contact your credit card company to dispute the charges as fraud and request a chargeback. This is the best chance for recovering lost money.
Where can I report a fake website?
Report scam sites to the FTC, IC3, BBB, and Danner so appropriate action can be taken. Provide as many details as possible about the website and your experience to prevent others from being victimized.
Are the deals on Instagram or Facebook real?
Use extreme caution with social media deals from unfamiliar sellers. Thoroughly vet sites you are directed to and look for scam red flags. Avoid deals that seem unrealistic—legitimate retailers won’t offer 90% off quality boots.
How can I safely shop Danner sales online?
Only order directly from Danner’s official website or authorized major retailers like Zappos, REI, and Backcountry. Carefully research unfamiliar sellers and look for scam warning signs before providing payment info anywhere.
Identifying the red flags of fake Danner websites keeps your hard-earned money and sensitive data safe. If an offer looks too good to be true, proceed with the utmost caution and skepticism.
The Bottom Line
Danner Boots is one of the most iconic footwear brands, revered for durable, high-performance boots. Sadly, Danner’s outstanding reputation also makes them a prime target for impersonation by scam websites advertising fake clearance sales with prices discounted up to 90% off.
These professional-looking sites are entirely fraudulent, created solely to steal identities, credit card details, and money from shoppers lured in by unbelievable prices. The harsh reality is those jaw-dropping deals like $500 boots discounted to $39 are always deceptive tricks – not real savings. When a deal seems too good to be true, it always is.
These scammers rely on casting an illusion of once-in-a-lifetime savings on coveted Danner boots. Their ads reach potential victims through social media platforms where they can target specific demographics with precision. But wise shoppers can protect themselves by scrutinizing websites and watching for signs of fraud before making purchases.
Ultimately, the only way to safely shop clearance sales on sturdy Danner boots is directly through Danner.com or authorized major retailers like REI
