Bargain hunters beware – viral promotions for a Fashion Nova clearance sale up to 90% off are a total scam. Scammers are creating fake websites impersonating the popular clothing retailer to bait customers with absurdly low prices on dresses and jeans. The scam ads are circulating on social media to snare victims into handing over credit card details. But the websites have telltale signs they are fraudulent once you know what to look for. This article will uncover the deceptive tricks used in this scam and provide tips to avoid getting duped by the fake Fashion Nova outlets.
This Article Contains:
Overview of the Viral Fashion Nova Clearance Sale Scam
In recent months, a scam impersonating popular fast fashion brand Fashion Nova has circulated heavily on social media and Google Ads. This elaborate ploy uses convincing fake websites and tempting offers to fool shoppers into thinking they are scoring major discounts on dresses, jeans, and other apparel.
Scammers create lookalike online stores stealing the Fashion Nova name, branding, images and web layout. Then they blast out ads on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok promoting clearance sales with eye-popping headlines:
- “Fashion Nova Closing All Locations – Up to 90% Off!”
- “Last Chance For Huge Savings – Everything Must Go!”
- “Warehouse Overflow Sale – Tees $12, Jeans $29”
When unsuspecting shoppers click these ads, they are taken to sophisticated fake sites that accept online credit card payments. The rock-bottom prices around $29 per item seem unbelievable for a brand known for $50 leggings and $60 dresses.
These absurd discounts are the first sign of the scam. But the pressure tactics make victims overlook rational thinking and jump on supposed once-in-a-lifetime deals. After checkout, any items received are cheap counterfeits or random junk.
Some early victims don’t even receive shipments at all. Credit card chargebacks hardly ever work as intended since transactions process so fast. The anonymous scammers behind the scenes design the websites intentionally to prevent recourse.
This scam manages to fool even savvy online shoppers through meticulous attention to detail replicating the real FashionNova.com. For example:
- The fake sites mimic the product gallery layouts, colors, fonts, menus and text content nearly identically.
- High resolution photographs are stolen from the official website to list counterfeit versions of the same items.
- The domain names sound believably close like FashionNovaShop.com or FashionNovaOutletStore.com.
- Sizing charts, shipping details, return policies, and customer service pages are copied over.
- The scam stores accept the same various payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, credit cards, and AfterPay.
With this degree of mimicry, it’s no wonder so many fall victim before recognizing the signs of a scam. The most obvious being the unrealistic pricing like $39 jeans and $29 hoodies, instead of the typical $50 – $80 range from Fashion Nova.
Other red flags include no indication of who owns or operates the websites, vacant Contact Us pages, fake addresses, and no reviews from prior customers. Warning signs are also present in the ads, like incorrect Instagram handles without the blue verification badge and profiles with zero relevant posts or followers.
Sadly, the options are very limited once you realize your order and payment info went to scammers. Getting money back or catching those responsible is rare, especially with victims all over the world. The best recourse is reporting details to the FTC to help warn others, and cautiously shopping online for deals that seem too good to be true.
How the Fake the Fashion Nova Clearance Sale Scam Works
The Fashion Nova 90% off scam operates through several sophisticated steps designed to mislead online shoppers and steal credit card payment information:
Step 1: Creating Elaborate Fake Websites
The scammers spend time analyzing the real FashionNova.com website to identify exactly how to mimic the appearance and functionality. They create fake sites with identical:
- Page layouts, fonts, colors, menus, headings and product galleries
- Shopping features like cart, accounts, search and navigation
- Details like shipping policies, About Us, contact forms, and footer links
- Payment processing via platforms like Shopify that appear legitimate
These fakes are designed to be indistinguishable from the real site at first glance. The sites tend to have small flaws visible upon close inspection, like misspellings, spacing issues, and low-quality product images. But most victims browse casually without noticing discrepancies.
The URLs are designed to sound believably connected to Fashion Nova, though not exact copies:
- FashionNovaShop.com
- FashionNovaOfficial.com
- FashionNovaRetailer.com
- FashionNovaOutletStore.com
Step 2: Setting Up Matching Social Media Profiles
The scammers create profiles on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok using Fashion Nova’s name and branding in the handles and imagery.
Posts mirror the marketing language and product photos from real Fashion Nova accounts. However, these scam accounts lack any followers, engagement or verification checkmarks. Comments are also disabled to prevent exposure.
Step 3: Promoting Fake Sales From Social Accounts
Paid ads are run from the fraudulent social media pages advertising clearance sales, typically claiming:
- Store Closing Forever!
- Last Chance For Savings!
- Going Out of Business – Everything Must Go!
The ads use attention-grabbing banners with discounted prices like $25 jeans and $29 dresses. Links in bios and posts redirect to the fake sites.
Consistent ads across multiple platforms strengthen the illusion of a legitimate limited-time sale.
Step 4: Listing Items at Unbelievable Prices
The scam websites showcase Fashion Nova products like dresses, jeans, tops and shoes at steeply discounted prices like $29, $39 or $49 – up to 90% off retail.
These rock-bottom prices are designed to entice victims focused on the deals rather than questioning the legitimacy. Real Fashion Nova discounts rarely exceed 20-30% off.
Additional fake coupons, site-wide promo codes, and bundled offer savings make the prices even more unbelievable.
Step 5: Collecting Payment Info During Checkout
Victims eagerly add multiple low-cost items to their carts and enter payment information at checkout. The sites accept various payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Afterpay.
Some scam sites process payments quickly to make refunds harder. Others allow orders without immediate payment processing.
Step 6: Sending Fake Tracking or Inferior Items
In rare cases of actual delivery, victims receive:
- Cheap counterfeit clothing made with subpar materials and construction
- Random secondhand items like old t-shirts, jewelry, or phone cases
- Nothing at all after providing payment information
Any tracking numbers supplied don’t work or show no shipping activity. It becomes clear customers did not receive authentic Fashion Nova products.
Following these deceptive steps allows scammers to operate largely in the shadows. Victims have almost no recourse once they realize it’s a scam. This multi-platform approach exploits Fashion Nova’s brand recognition with bait-and-switch tactics.
Key Signs to Spot the Fashion Nova Clearance Sale Scam Sites
While the fraudulent sites appear convincing at first glance, a closer look reveals many red flags:
Suspicious and Deceptive URLs
The domain names almost always include “fashionnova” but are NOT the official fashionnova.com. Examples include:
- fashionnovaclearance.com
- fashionnovaretailer.com
- fashionnovaofficialshop.com
These scam sites also use terms like “store”, “shop”, or “outlet” in the URL. The domains are often registered very recently under anonymous names.
Absurdly Low Prices
The sites advertise items like dresses for $25, tops for $15, and jeans for $29 – up to 90% off. These rock-bottom prices should immediately seem unrealistic. Legitimate Fashion Nova discounts rarely exceed 20-30% off.
High Pressure Sales Tactics
Scam sites use countdown timers, claims of “limited supply” or “almost sold out”, and other dubious tactics to rush customers into purchasing. Any promotions for sales ending soon are completely fabricated.
Copied Website Content
From the product descriptions to the About Us page, all website content is stolen from other sources or directly copied from the real FashionNova.com. There is no unique or original text.
No Seller Transparency
The sites only provide generic emails for contact and no real phone numbers or physical addresses. There are no identifiable people listed as owners or company executives.
No Customer Reviews
There are absolutely no reviews, ratings, or mentions from verified purchasers, which should be present on any legitimate ecommerce store.
Staying vigilant for these common red flags of fake websites makes it much easier to avoid falling victim to online scams. When uncertain, do further research before providing any sensitive information or completing purchases.
How to Recognize Fake Fashion Nova Ads on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok
Scammers heavily promote the fraudulent sales through paid ads on popular social platforms. Here’s what to watch out for:
Facebook Red Flags
Fake Fashion Nova Facebook ads typically:
- Use attention-grabbing banners with “70% off” or “90% off everything!”
- Have links leading to suspicious domains like fashionnovastore.com
- Offer too-good-to-be-true prices like $25 dresses and $29 jeans
- Use high pressure captions like “Going out of business!”
- Show no evidence of being posted by Fashion Nova’s verified Page
- Have disabled comments to prevent being exposed as scams
Instagram Warning Signs
Fraudulent Fashion Nova Instagram ads tend to:
- Promote clearance sales up to 80% or 90% off in the image captions
- Use handles like @fashionnova_outlet_store instead of the real @fashionnova
- Lack a blue verification checkmark on the account
- Drive traffic to unrelated scammy links in bios
- Offer $29 dresses or $39 jeans that are clearly unrealistic
- Have zero relevant posts or followers engaging with the account
TikTok Red Flags
Deceptive Fashion Nova TikTok ads typically:
- Make unbelievable claims like “Entire store now $19 or less!”
- Have links in bios and captions sending users to scam sites
- Use video clips stolen from actual Fashion Nova ads and accounts
- Show no evidence of being associated with Fashion Nova’s real TikTok presence
- Disable comments to prevent being called out as fakes
- Offer prices like $19 tops and $25 bottoms that are clearly unrealistic
Scrutinizing social media ads instead of assuming they’re real takes a few extra seconds. But it can save you from losing money and personal data to fashion scam websites.
Steps to Take if You Fell for The Fashion Nova Scam
Here are important actions to take immediately if you placed an order from one of the fake Fashion Nova websites:
- Call your credit card issuer and dispute the charges as fraudulent – Provide all details about the scam website to strengthen your claim.
- Closely monitor bank and credit card statements – Freeze accounts if any additional unauthorized charges appear.
- Report details to the FTC to help warn others – The more reports they receive about a specific scam website, the better.
- Reset all account passwords as a precaution – If you used the same password elsewhere, change it.
- Avoid paying third parties promising to recover lost funds – This often ends up being another scam.
- Learn from the experience for future purchases – Research seller legitimacy and look for red flags before ordering.
- Report the website to Fashion Nova – This can help them pursue takedown of the fake sites.
Although chances are low, reporting the scam website soon after placing an order may lead to the domain being taken down before shipping the item. Otherwise, recovering lost money will prove very difficult so vigilance is key.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Fashion Nova Clearance Sale Scam
1. How can I tell if a Fashion Nova sale website is a scam?
Fake sites have prices too good to be true like $25 jeans or $29 dresses. Real Fashion Nova discounts are max 30% off. Scams also lack contact info, have suspicious URLs, use fake ads, and have no reviews.
2. Are the products from the scam Fashion Nova sites real?
No, any items sent from scam sites are cheap counterfeits or random used clothing. They are not authentic Fashion Nova products. The quality is very poor.
3. What are signs of a fake Fashion Nova Instagram or Facebook ad?
Warning signs include 90% off claims, no blue verification checkmark, URL with ‘fashionnovashop’ instead of ‘.com’, disabled comments, and no relevant posts on the account.
4. Can I get my money back if I ordered from a fake Fashion Nova website?
It is very unlikely. You can dispute the charges with your credit card company and report to the FTC. But if the order processed already, refunds are difficult to obtain.
5. Are the coupon codes from Fashion Nova scam sites real?
No, any deep discount promo codes like 90% off from questionable sources are fake. Legit Fashion Nova coupons rarely exceed 25% off and come directly via email or ads.
6. How can I tell if a Fashion Nova website is legitimate?
Real sites have reasonable prices close to retail value, verified contact info, real customer reviews, secure checkout, and a domain with ‘fashionnova.com’.
7. What do I do if I placed an order on a scam website?
Immediately call your credit card company to report the charges as fraudulent. Monitor statements closely for any other suspicious charges. Avoid paying third-parties claiming they can recover your lost funds.
8. How can I prevent getting scammed by fake Fashion Nova websites?
Do research before purchasing, look for red flags, check site legitimacy, and know real Fashion Nova deals will not be 90% off or scammy. Only order directly from FashionNova.com.
9. Where can I find legitimate Fashion Nova discounts?
Real sales will be on their official website and announced via Fashion Nova emails or ads from verified social media accounts. Expect maximum discounts around 20-30% on certain products, not entire order amounts.
10. Who can I contact about a Fashion Nova sales scam?
You can report fake websites to Fashion Nova customer service via email. Also file reports with the FTC, IC3, BBB and your local consumer protection agency to warn others. But recovering lost funds will be very difficult.
The Bottom Line
The Fashion Nova 90% off scam exploits trusting consumers through:
- Convincing fakes of the real website
- Social media ads promising unjustifiable prices
- Time limited offers pressuring quick purchases
- Anonymous ownership with no accountability
- Inferior quality or incorrect shipments
Even savvy shoppers can be fooled at first glance. But learning the tactics outlined here makes it much simpler to identify the fraudulent websites, seller accounts and ads. Before providing any sensitive information, take time to verify legitimacy.
Official Fashion Nova sales will always be conveyed through their known channels and offers reasonable discounts. Rushing into deals that seem unrealistic often ends in regret once the scam is revealed. Exercise caution to protect yourself from online shopping scams using this popular brand as bait. Your wallet will thank you.
