Hobby Lobby, the arts and crafts retail giant, does not currently have any authorized online clearance sales or discount events taking place. However, heavily promoted scam websites are proliferating that pretend to offer Hobby Lobby products at deep clearance discounts in order to defraud customers.
These convincing fake e-commerce sites deceptively use Hobby Lobby’s brand name, logos, and product imagery without permission. Prices are set extremely low, often 80-90% below retail value, to entice customers seeking a bargain. But unsuspecting shoppers who place orders either receive nothing, cheap knock-offs, used goods, or completely incorrect items.
Overview of the Hobby Lobby Clearance Sale Scam
Scammers have created elaborate fake ecommerce websites designed to mimic the real Hobby Lobby website and brand. These scam sites tout unbelievable “store closing” or “clearance” sales with items discounted up to 90% off.
In reality, the websites have no connection to the legitimate Hobby Lobby company. They are scam operations run by cybercriminals to defraud customers.
These fraudulent sites heavily promote their bogus sales through social media ads and emails to drive traffic. Unsuspecting shoppers land on the sites, get tempted by the amazing discounts, and make purchases.
However, orders made on these fake websites typically result in one of the following:
- Nothing at all – The most likely outcome. Orders simply go unfulfilled and disappear after payments clear.
- Cheap knockoffs – Some customers receive inferior quality replicas made with poor materials that do not match product descriptions.
- Used, damaged, or tampered items – In some cases, victims report receiving goods that are clearly used, broken or otherwise tampered with.
- Completely wrong items – Orders can arrive with products that are entirely different than what was ordered.
On top of scamming shoppers out of their money, these malicious websites also steal personal and financial data during checkout including names, addresses, phone numbers and credit card details.
Research indicates the fake sites are part of an interconnected scam network run out of China. The network runs countless sham shopping websites specifically to defraud customers.
How the Hobby Lobby Clearance Sale Scam Works
Here is an overview of how this scam operates to deceive customers at each stage of the shopping process:
1. Fake E-Commerce Website
The scam starts with a website crafted to precisely imitate a real online Hobby Lobby store. The site has Hobby Lobby’s logos, fonts, branding, images, and overall visual design.
Product listings feature photos of authentic Hobby Lobby items like Cricut machines, fabrics, seasonal décor, and more at absurdly low clearance prices. The site accepts payments and obtains customer shipping details during checkout.
2. Social Media and Email Promotion
Scammers rely primarily on Facebook ads to drive traffic to their fake Hobby Lobby sites. Ads showcase unrealistic discounts like “80% off – Today Only!” alongside real Hobby Lobby products.
Spam email campaigns with subject lines like “Hobby Lobby Blowout Sale!” are also used. The goal is convincing shoppers they are getting an exclusive clearance deal.
3. Deceptive Order Process
The online order process closely mimics a real e-commerce transaction. Shoppers can browse products, add to a cart, apply promo codes, enter payment methods, view shipping rates, and receive an order confirmation.
However, no legitimate shipping or logistics exist behind the scenes. The site is simply set up to collect as much customer payment and personal data as possible.
4. Failure to Deliver Products
After completing seemingly legitimate orders, customers eventually realize no shipments are arriving. Their money has been taken already with nothing to show for it.
In rare cases of actual delivery, victims receive shoddy knock-off products made with inferior materials, used goods, or random undesirable items. But fulfilling orders is not the scam’s main intent.
5. Use of Victim Data
Beyond stealing credit card numbers and money, these sites also obtain names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal info during checkout. This data holds additional monetary value for scammers who sell it or use it for identity theft.
Recognizing Red Flags of the Scam
While sophisticated in copying Hobby Lobby’s brand, these fraudulent sites can be spotted through a number of red flags:
- Extreme discounts up to 90% off retail prices
- Website domain registered very recently
- No customer service number, physical address, or live support
- Missing real contact details beyond an email address
- Strange errors, typos, grammar issues
- Policies and terms copied from other websites
- Aggressive sales language and limited availability claims
- No transparency into who owns or operates the business
- Complete lack of social media presence and user engagement
- No customer reviews anywhere on the site
What to Do if You Are Scammed by a Fake Site
If you made a purchase at one of these fraudulent Hobby Lobby clearance sale websites, here are important next steps to take:
- Contact your credit card provider immediately to report the charges as fraudulent and request a chargeback refund. Provide documentation on the scam.
- Gather all receipts, emails, ads, and notes related to the scam purchase. These will bolster your fraud claim.
- File reports immediately with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), FTC, state consumer protection agencies, and Hobby Lobby. Getting on authorities’ radars increases odds of catching the scammers.
- If you used the same password elsewhere, change it immediately on all other accounts. Enable two-factor authentication if possible.
- Watch for signs of identity theft and regularly review account statements for any unauthorized activity.
- Spread awareness about the scam by reporting fake ads, reviewing scam sites, and warning friends not to make purchases.
Avoiding Clearance Sale Scams When Shopping Online
Consumers can protect themselves from these fraudulent Hobby Lobby websites and other online clearance sale scams through smart shopping habits:
- Carefully research any unfamiliar e-commerce sites and check for scam red flags.
- Avoid making purchases through social media ads which commonly link to frauds.
- Be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true and discount claims above 50% off.
- Only enter personal and payment data on secure sites that have HTTPS URLs, padlock icons, and verified contact information.
- Use credit cards when shopping online since transactions can be disputed. Avoid methods like wire transfers.
- Routinely monitor financial statements and report any unauthorized charges from scam purchases.
- Check domain registration dates on sites and beware if recently created.
- Report suspicious retailer ads or pages on social platforms like Facebook to get scam accounts removed.
Staying vigilant for warning signs of fraud allows consumers to identify sham websites like these unauthorized Hobby Lobby clearance sales. Shop carefully online and don’t let tempting deals cloud judgment when protecting your information and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Hobby Lobby clearance sales real?
No. The websites advertising huge closing down or liquidation sales up to 90% off are complete scams. Hobby Lobby is not going out of business or closing its stores.
How do I know if a Hobby Lobby website is fake?
Warning signs of a scam Hobby Lobby site include unrealistic discounts like 90% off everything, anonymous contact details, no social media presence, and legal pages copied from other sites.
What happens if I order from a fake Hobby Lobby website?
Most likely your order will never arrive after your payment clears. Or you may receive cheap knockoffs, used goods, or completely wrong items. Your personal and payment data is also at risk.
Can I get my money back if I ordered from a scam site?
Contact your bank immediately to dispute the charges and request a chargeback. Provide details on how the site misrepresented itself as Hobby Lobby.
Are my credit card details safe after using a scam website?
No, your information is compromised. Put fraud alerts on your credit reports and watch for any suspicious activity. Avoid using the same passwords on multiple accounts.
How can I tell if an email or text is from the real Hobby Lobby?
Legitimate messages will only come from hobbylobby.com domains. Be wary of any odd links or password reset requests, which may be phishing attempts.
Where can I report a fake Hobby Lobby website?
Notify the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov about the scam site. This helps authorities track down these scams.
How can I avoid these clearance sale scams?
Only shop directly at hobbylobby.com for real Hobby Lobby deals. Be skeptical of any liquidation or closing down sales from major retailers which are almost always scams.
Conclusion
Hobby Lobby is a trusted brand in arts and crafts retailing with fans always seeking out deals on its products. Scammers exploit demand by building sophisticated fake e-commerce websites claiming to offer clearance prices up to 90% off Hobby Lobby items.
Luring victims through social media ads and email spam, these sham sites steal credit card and personal data from customers who place orders believing they found an incredible bargain. But in reality, no products ship and victims’ information gets exploited instead.
Consumers should carefully research unfamiliar sites, look for red flags, report fake ads and pages, and apply general caution when shopping online. Avoid entering data on shady sites and use payment methods with fraud protection. Stay vigilant and don’t let tempting clearance deals undermine better judgment. Protect yourself and your information from these malicious scammers impersonating trusted brands.
