Scores of shoppers across the country have fallen prey to viral Facebook ads and flashy websites advertising huge KOHL’S clearance sales with eye-popping discounts up to 90% off. Enticed by deals like $50 Nike sneakers and $30 Instant Pots, these unfortunate victims handed over personal information and payment—only to receive damaged goods weeks later or nothing at all.
In an elaborate new scam sweeping social media, fraudsters have built an entire network of fake KOHL’S outlets and clearance sales that ensnare hopeful customers searching for unbeatable bargains. This con has cost thousands of dollars and precious data.
This article will reveal the hidden tricks scammers use to pull off the ruse, signs to watch for, and most importantly, how to avoid becoming the next victim of the brazen KOHL’S clearance sale scam. With online shopping more popular than ever, shoppers must stay vigilant against schemes like these that only end in disappointment and fraud.
Overview of the Scam
The KOHL’S clearance sale scam involves scammers creating fake e-commerce sites, social media pages, and online ads promoting huge markdowns on KOHL’S merchandise. These sites use KOHL’S branding without authorization to come across as legitimate. Common ways this scam spreads include:
- Facebook ads promoting KOHL’S warehouses sales, clearance sales, or going out of business sales with 90% discounts.
- TikTok and Instagram videos showing massive hauls of KOHL’S products bought for dirt cheap. These work as ads to drive people to scam sites.
- Fake KOHL’S deal sites with domain names like “kohls-outlet-store[dot]com” or “kohls-closing[dot]shop.”
- Posts in Facebook groups and Marketplace listing deeply discounted KOHL’S items. The sellers provide links to fraudulent sites.
- Search engine ads for KOHL’S clearance items that lead to scam websites.
These ads and sites entice customers with unrealistic prices like $29 for a $250 jacket or $39 for a $400 appliance. The scam trademarks like “limited time only” and “going out of business” create a false sense of urgency.
Once on the site, scammers try to quickly get credit card information before visitors notice any red flags. The sites look legit at first glance with KOHL’S logos, product images, and familiar branding. But the 90%+ discounts are far beyond any real KOHL’S promotion.
After submitting payment, victims find there is no way to contact the “company” besides a dubious email address. Nothing arrives in the mail except maybe an envelope of seeds. Some receive cheap knockoff items weeks later that look nothing like the advertised product. Others get random, low-cost items like a $3 bracelet.
The scammers pocket the money while leaving customers empty-handed. KOHL’S does not operate any authorized outlets, warehouses, or clearance sites with extreme discounts. This con tricks thousands into giving up personal information and payment details that can enable identity theft down the road.
How the KOHL’S 90% Off Scam Works
Scammers use a variety of deceptive tactics to fleece victims through fake KOHL’S outlets. Here is an in-depth look at exactly how this scam operates at each step:
1. Building Credible-Looking E-Commerce Sites
The scammers first obtain domains with KOHL’S in the name like “kohls-clearance[dot]store” or “kohls-closing[dot]shop.” These sites are made to look like legitimate KOHL’S outlets on the surface. The homepages feature familiar branding and photos of KOHL’S locations. In the site copy, they claim to be authorized KOHL’S partners.
Of course, KOHL’S has no affiliation with these sham sites. The scammers also leverage the KOHL’S name and logos without permission, which is trademark infringement. The domains and sites are designed purely to mislead customers.
2. Populating the Sites With KOHL’S Product Images
One key way the scam sites look convincing is by using actual KOHL’S product photos. The scammers lift images directly from the real KOHL’S catalog without permission. So visitors see familiar products like Nike shoes, UnderArmour apparel, household appliances, and other brands KOHL’S carries.
The fake sites simply take these images and plaster them across their domain to mimic a legitimate retailer. But the use of KOHL’S IP is unauthorized. Customers assume the sites sell real KOHL’S goods given the recognizable product shots.
3. Offering Unbelievable Prices Like 90% Off
The bait that lures in victims is the unrealistic discounts up to 90% off or more. A $500 refrigerator might be listed at $49. A $60 pair of Nikes might cost $6. Prices are typically set at $29, $39, $49 – rarely exceeding $50 an item.
These absurd prices are paired with high-pressure tactics urging customers to act fast before missing out. Countdown timers create false urgency. Banners advertise the clearance sale ending soon. In reality, the scam never ends.
This part of the con appeals to people’s desire for an incredible deal. But legitimate retailers like KOHL’S would never offer 90%+ discounts sitewide. The scammers bank on thePrices blinding customers to other red flags.
4. Making Sales Through Social Media Ads
Scammers have expanded beyond fake sites into running social media ads for their sham KOHL’S outlets. Ads on Facebook and Instagram entice people with images of huge hauls bought for 90% off. Links take users to the fraudulent sites to purchase.
Posts in Facebook groups also drive traffic. A scammer account claims to have inside connections at KOHL’S and links to their site. Videos on TikTok show users unboxing KOHL’S products “bought” from an outlet store. These ads lure in deal-seeking social media users.
5. Collecting Payment and Personal Information
Once on the site, customers are prompted to add items to their cart and check out quickly. The scammers want people to complete transactions before they spot any warning signs.
At checkout, victims input credit card and personal info. The sites are not secure, exposing data to fraud and theft. Those who pay never receive an order confirmation since the sellers are fake.
In some cases, small charges of a $1 or so are made by scammers to “verify” the card. They bank on people ignoring these smaller amounts while the main payment processes.
6. Sending Nothing or Worthless Items
After pocketing the payments, scammers either send nothing or nearly worthless items. Many victims never receive any shipment at all – just stolen money. Some get an empty mailer or envelope stuffed with random paper or seeds weeks later.
For those who do receive an actual product, it ends up being a cheap bracelet, pair of sunglasses or item scammers can mass purchase for under $5. These packages likely ship from another country like China. The products look nothing like the advertised KOHL’S goods in quality or value.
At the end of the day, the scammers keep profits while leaving customers empty-handed. Without a real address, phone number or any way to contact the fake sites, victims have no recourse to obtain refunds. The scam takes advantage of trusting online shoppers seeking deals.
How to Identify Fake KOHL’S Sites and Spot the Scam
Savvy shoppers must watch for key red flags that give away sham KOHL’S outlets peddling clearance sale cons. Here are the top signs a purported KOHL’S site is a fake:
Newly Created Domains and URLs
Scam sites use new domains often registered just weeks or months before the scam. For example, the fraudulent site “kohls-closetsale[dot]store” was registered in January 2023. KOHL’S own website Kohls.com was registered in 1994.
Lack of Contact Information
Fake KOHL’S outlets only provide an email address, if anything at all. No real phone numbers, physical addresses, or customer service options are given. This makes it impossible for victims to contact the scammers after being defrauded.
Unrealistic Discounts of 90% or More
Genuine KOHL’S coupons and sales offer at most a 30% discount. Sitewide clearance sales touting 90% off or $29 appliance deals are clearly bogus. KOHL’S does not make claims of huge savings like scam sites.
Template Design and Plagiarized Content
Fraudulent sites exhibit a generic, cookie-cutter design instead of the polished Kohls.com. Product descriptions, policies and other text may be copied from the real site or elsewhere. Broken links and misspellings are other giveaways.
“Closing Down” and “Limited Time” Messaging
Watch for high-pressure text urging fast purchases for deals ending soon. KOHL’S does not claim to be going out of business or use other dubious tactics to generate false urgency.
There are no authorized KOHL’S clearance outlets. Scrutinize any site claiming huge savings on KOHL’S goods. Only buy directly from Kohls.com to avoid being scammed.
Spotting the KOHL’S Clearance Sale Scam on Social Media
Scammers heavily promote their fake KOHL’S outlets across platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Learn to recognize these fraudulent social media posts:
Watch for Facebook ads, Marketplace listings and posts in Groups showcasing implausible deals like a $150 grill for $15. Scammers advertise with phrases like “Going out of business,” “Today only” or “Free shipping.” Links likely redirect to an illegitimate site.
Groups may feature someone claiming connections to KOHL’S insiders with clearance access. But their link goes to a scam store. Legitimate KOHL’S promotions only appear on the official Facebook page.
Scam Instagram posts showcase hauls of KOHL’S products supposedly bought for 90% off. Captions urge viewers to click the link in bio before the “sale” ends. These links direct to sham sites to capture payment info.
In Stories, scammers may poll users if they want access to “secret” KOHL’S sales. Links provided lead to their fraudulent web stores. No real KOHL’S employee would promote unofficial clearance outlets.
TikTok
On TikTok, scammers post videos unboxing KOHL’S products all supposedly bought from a clearance outlet for pennies on the dollar. This convinces viewers the scam is legit. Links in bios, captions or comments go to their fake sites.
Comments may also promote huge savings if users click their profile link to buy before the fire sale ends. Any “outlet” offering 90%+ off KOHL’S goods is assuredly a scam attempt.
Always verify sites being promoted on social media before making purchases. Official KOHL’S pages only link to Kohls.com. If an offer looks too good to be true, it always is.
What To Do If You Are a Victim of the Scam
If you placed an order through a fake KOHL’S site or ad and suspect fraud, take these steps:
- Call your bank – Immediately contact your bank or credit card issuer, explain you are the victim of fraud, and have any charges reversed. Cancel the compromised card.
- Check statements – Review statements for any unauthorized charges from the scam retailer or other suspicious activity. Dispute fraudulent charges.
- Place a fraud alert – Contact credit bureaus to place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your account to prevent identity theft.
- Change passwords – If you used the same password elsewhere, update logins on all your online accounts to new, secure passwords.
- Watch for suspicious activity – Continuously monitor bank statements, credit reports and account activity over the next year for further signs of misuse of your information.
- File an online complaint – Report the scam to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov and Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Report social media scams – If you encountered the scam through Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, report the content as a fraud or scam. Getting posts removed can help curb the scam.
- Leave online reviews – Post reviews detailing your experience with the scam site to warn others. Make your review public on platforms like Trustpilot.
- Seek refunds – Though unlikely, try contacting the scam site by email to request a chargeback. File disputes if you only receive worthless items.
- Learn from the incident – In the future, stick to the official Kohls.com for online orders. Remember that clearance discounts are never near 90% off.
Frequently Asked Questions About the KOHL’S Clearance Sale Scam
1. What is the KOHL’S clearance sale scam?
The KOHL’S clearance sale scam involves scammers building fake e-commerce websites and social media ads that imitate legitimate KOHL’S outlets and heavily discounted clearance sales. These sham sites advertise items at unrealistic prices like 90% off using KOHL’S branding without permission. After shoppers purchase products, they either receive low-quality items that don’t match the ads or nothing at all.
2. How does the KOHL’S 90% off scam work?
Scammers create lookalike sites with domain names containing “KOHLS” to appear to be real KOHL’S outlets. They steal KOHL’S product images and list them at absurd discounts of 90%+ off. Through social media ads, they drive traffic to these fake sites and collect payment and personal information. Victims receive no items, worthless products, or cheap counterfeits.
3. What are some examples of fraudulent KOHL’S sites?
Some examples of scam site names are “KOHLS-outlet-store[dot]com,” “kohls-warehouse[dot]shop,” and “KOHLS-clearance[dot]site.” These sites mimic the real Kohls.com but are not authorized or affiliated with the company.
4. How can I identify a fake KOHL’S clearance sale?
Warning signs include prices over 75% off, urgent language to buy quickly, no contact information, unsecure checkout, and overall low-quality site design. Real KOHL’S sales only discount a maximum of 30%.
5. What should I do if I paid a scam KOHL’S site?
If you are the victim of a fraudulent KOHL’S site, immediately call your bank to reverse the charges, place a fraud alert on your credit, check credit reports for any suspicious activity, change account passwords, and file complaints with the FTC and FBI IC3.
6. How can I avoid clearance sale scams in the future?
Only shop at Kohls.com to ensure legitimate products and prices. Be wary of third-party sites claiming to be KOHL’S outlets. Look for the signs of a scam before providing payment information. Clearance discounts above 50% off are highly suspect.
7. Can I get my money back if I was scammed?
You should immediately file disputes with your bank and request chargebacks for any unauthorized credit charges. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely you will recoup wired payments or recover other losses from the scammers directly.
8. Are the ads for KOHL’S sales on Facebook and Instagram legitimate?
No. Genuine KOHL’S ads will direct you to Kohls.com, not third-party sites. Many Facebook and Instagram ads about clearance sales are scams trying to drive you to fake outlet stores. Verify the domain before making purchases.
9. Where can I report fraudulent KOHL’S outlets or sales?
Notify the FBI IC3, FTC, social networks, your bank, and websites like Trustpilot. Sharing details of the scam can get fraudulent sites removed and warn potential victims.
The Bottom Line
The KOHL’S 90% off scam preys on the brand’s reputation to trick trusting customers into handing over payment details. By appearing to be authorized KOHL’S outlets, these fraudulent sites convince visitors their absurd prices are legitimate. In reality, victims receive nothing but frustration and compromised personal data.
Stay vigilant for telltale warning signs like prices that are too good to be true. Only make purchases through Kohls.com and beware cheap counterfeits. If scammed, act quickly to report fraudulent charges and accounts. Share your experience to make others aware of clearance sale scams. When shopping online, use reason above desire for the best deals. A few minutes of critical thinking can save you from becoming the next victim.
