HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites: How The Scam Works!
Written by: Stelian
Published on:
If you are a fan of the Home Shopping Network (HSN), you might have come across some websites that claim to be HSN Factory Outlet Shop. These sites offer huge discounts on HSN products, such as clothing, jewelry, electronics, and more. But before you get tempted to place an order, you should know that these sites are not affiliated with HSN and are actually scam sites that aim to steal your money and personal information.
What are the HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites?
The HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites are fraudulent websites that use the HSN logo and brand name to lure unsuspecting customers. They pretend to be official outlets of HSN, but they are not authorized by HSN or any of its partners. They sell counterfeit or low-quality products, or they don’t deliver anything at all. They also collect your credit card details, email address, phone number, and other sensitive data that they can use for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
How do the HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites operate?
The HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites usually advertise on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. They use fake reviews, testimonials, and ratings to make their sites look legitimate and trustworthy. They also use domain names that are similar to HSN’s official website, such as hsnfactoryoutletshop.com, hsnoutletstore.com, or hsnfactory.com. They offer products that are marked down by 50% or more, and they claim to have limited stock and time offers. They also offer free shipping and easy returns to entice you to buy from them.
However, once you place an order, you will either receive a confirmation email with a fake tracking number, or you will not receive any confirmation at all. If you try to contact their customer service, you will either get no response or a generic reply that does not address your issue. If you receive your order, you will find out that the products are not as described, defective, damaged, or counterfeit. If you try to return them, you will either be asked to pay for the shipping cost and restocking fee, or you will not get any refund at all.
What to do if you have fallen victim?
If you have fallen victim to the HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites, you should take the following steps:
Contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges. You may be able to get your money back if you act quickly.
Change your passwords and PINs for your online accounts, especially if you used the same ones for the scam sites.
Report the scam sites to HSN’s official customer service at 1-800-284-5757 or email them at hsncustomerservice@hsn.com. You can also report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/.
Warn your friends and family about the scam sites and advise them not to buy from them.
Conclusion
The HSN Factory Outlet Shop Scam Sites are a serious threat to online shoppers who love HSN products. They use deceptive tactics to trick you into giving them your money and personal information. You should always be careful when shopping online and verify the legitimacy of the website before making a purchase. You should also check the reviews and ratings of the website from other sources, such as Trustpilot, Sitejabber, or Scamadviser. You should also avoid clicking on links or ads that seem too good to be true. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams
Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.
Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.
Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).
If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.
If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.
Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.
If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.
Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.
If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.
Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.
If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.
Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.
If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.
Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.
If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).
Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.
If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.
Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.
If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.
Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.
These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.
About Stelian
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.