A new online shopping scam promoting LOWA shoes at 90% off has been heavily promoted on social media lately. Scammers are using the reputation of the established LOWA brand to trick customers into purchasing deeply discounted products that never arrive.
This fraudulent scheme uses fake websites dressed up to resemble legitimate online LOWA shoe stores. The sites advertise clearance sales with items priced at up to 90% off retail value. However, the rock-bottom prices are only a ploy to get victims to hand over their credit card information. After making a purchase, customers either receive nothing or low-quality products that in no way match what was pictured online.
This article will provide an in-depth examination of how the LOWA clearance sale scam operates, common red flags to watch out for, and steps to take if you have fallen victim.
Overview of the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam
The LOWA clearance sale scam takes advantage of the good reputation and brand recognition that the Germany-based LOWA shoe company has built up over the past 98 years. LOWA is best known for its high-performance hiking, hunting, and mountaineering boots.
The fraudsters behind this scheme understand that consumers are more likely to trust websites appearing to be affiliated with an established retail brand. So the scam sites use the LOWA name, actual product images, and the promise of clearance prices up to 90% off MSRP to entice potential victims.
However, every aspect of these scam websites is fake. The domain names are made to sound official using some variation of “LOWA” and words implying a warehouse clearance sale. The product listings copy actual images and descriptions from the real LOWA catalog. The sites feature prominent customer service options like phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses.
But it’s all a facade with no real company behind it. There is no affiliation with the actual LOWA brand. And any attempt to contact customer support will lead nowhere.
The rock bottom prices advertised at up to 90% off are completely fabricated with the sole intent of baiting unsuspecting shoppers. After handing over payment information, victims receive nothing. Or worse, they receive cheap counterfeit products clearly not worth what was paid.
By the time customers realize they’ve been scammed, the website has vanished. And any attempt to issue a chargeback or track down the fraudsters is futile. This leaves victims with lost money and no recourse.
Next, we’ll examine exactly how this scam works to better understand the predatory techniques used on consumers.
How the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam Works
The LOWA clearance sale scam demonstrates sophisticated techniques to take advantage of unwitting online shoppers. By closely mimicking a legitimate ecommerce operation, these fraudulent websites convince customers to hand over money without realizing they are dealing with a shady operator until it’s too late.
Here is an in-depth look at how this scam works at each step:
1. Scham Website Creation
The first step for the scammers is to quickly assemble websites made to resemble authorized LOWA online retail stores. A basic template is used that allows customizing details like domain name, logo, product catalog, and discount promotion headlines.
The domain name will include some variation of “LOWA” plus additional keywords like “outlet”, “clearance”, “warehouse sale”, or “going out of business” to imply huge savings. A top-level domain like “.com” or “.net” adds perceived legitimacy.
Next, the LOWA branding is hijacked by inserting the company’s official logo and tacking on the fraudulent tagline “Authorized Discount Retailer”. The real LOWA website has no such authorized discount retailers, but unsuspecting customers are less likely to realize this.
Finally, the product catalog displaying shoes at up to 90% off is populated by scraping images and descriptions directly from lowa.com. The scam sites do none of the hard work of building an actual inventory. They simply plagiarize from the legitimate company’s website, enabling a quick launch.
2. Social Media Promotion
With the scam websites ready to go, the next phase is driving traffic through aggressive social media marketing campaigns. Fraudulent ads are created promoting the clearance sales and pushed out on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The ads leverage the strong brand recognition of LOWA by featuring official product images. Combined with the false claims of clearance discounts up to 90% off, the ads spark intense interest from deal-seeking online shoppers.
Clicking the ad brings users directly to the scam website that maintains the façade of an authorized LOWA retailer. The deceptive promo codes and countdown timer create an air of urgency to purchase immediately before missing out on the deal.
Many victims are hooked at this point, especially after seeing the clearance shoes in their size still in stock – a common tactic for further enticing potential buyers.
3. Purchase Process
When a target visits the scam site and attempts to make a purchase is when the fraudsters have achieved their goal.
The checkout process closely mirrors any legitimate online shoe store requiring shoppers to input personal details like name, address, email, and crucially their payment information.
Various false assurances are given to alleviate any misgivings like highlighting secure checkout, money-back guarantees, and customer service contact points. But none of these are real.
After submitting payment, in many cases the customer is taken to an unrelated thank you or tracking page implying the order is being processed and shipped. However, no such fulfillment occurs.
At best, victims eventually receive a cheap counterfeit product clearly not the same as what was ordered online. But most likely they receive nothing at all except the hard lesson that it was a scam.
4. Covering Tracks
Once the fraudulent credit card charges start coming in, the scammers cover their tracks. The temporary scam websites are quickly taken offline to erase evidence before too many caught-on victims can investigate.
Domain hosting services and merchant payment providers are enlisted in the scam under false pretenses, making it tough to track the puppet masters behind the operation. Money is quickly laundered through various accounts before vanishing overseas.
Then the process starts over again with a fresh scam website, social media ads, and more unsuspecting shoppers being targeted. The scammers can iterate through many quick iterations of the LOWA clearance sale scam before needing new tricks.
Red Flags of the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam
Being able to spot the warning signs of a fraudulent shopping website can save you from getting ripped off. Here are some red flags to watch out for with sites promoting the fake LOWA warehouse clearance sales:
- Unrealistically low prices – Genuine clearance sales will offer discounts, but up to 90% off across the board indicates a scam. LOWA shoes retail in the $150-$400+ range normally.
- Temporary domains – Scam sites use recently registered domain names, often for less than a year. Legitimate ecommerce businesses invest in permanent domains.
- No physical address – Check the “Contact Us” page for an actual store address. Fraud sites will omit this or provide a fake address.
- No customer service response – Email addresses or phone numbers on scam sites are non-functional. No real support team exists to field issues.
- Spelling/grammatical errors – Sloppy text and image formatting signals an amateur scam operation. Authentic brand retailers polish their sites.
- Social media absence – Beyond the ads, scam websites lack any social media presence across channels like Facebook or Instagram where real brands connect with consumers.
- No SSL certificate – Secure sites will display “https” in the URL bar. An unencrypted “http” means entering payment info is risky.
- Phishing attempts – Links proposing odd offers or requesting login/personal information via email after ordering are sure signs of fraud.
- No refunds – Scam sites will not stand behind any satisfactory return policy. You’ll be stuck with defective products or zero recourse.
Stay vigilant for these red flags when shopping online to avoid surrendering money to fraudulent clearance sale promotions like the LOWA scam. If something seems off, trust your instincts.
Identifying Fake LOWA Clearance Websites
When evaluating potential online shoe stores advertising huge LOWA sales, there are certain characteristics that reveal which sites are fraudulent operators simply masquerading as authorized retailers. Be wary of these common red flags:
Recently Registered Domains
Rather than invest in permanent domains, scam websites use new domains registered very recently – often within the past year or less. A quick WHOIS domain lookup will show the creation date. For example, scam sites may use domains like “lowaclearanceshoesale.com” that were just registered in the past few months. Genuine retailers build their brand on decade-old domains.
Missing Contact Information
Check the “Contact Us” page for any physical address, phone number, email address, or other customer service options. Scam sites either provide no contact info or fake details. Calling the number leads nowhere and emails are never answered by a real support team because the business is 100% fraudulent.
Implausibly Low Prices
If you know the normal retail prices of LOWA boots and hiking shoes, then discounts up to 90% off will immediately seem illogical. While clearance sales do offer deals, prices that seem too good to be true usually are. The scam sites can easily fabricate unrealistic discounts to entice victims.
Copied Product Images
A big clue is noticing the exact same product photos on the scam website as the real LOWA site, down to matching names, SKUs, and descriptions. This is because the scam operators simply steal LOWA’s catalog rather than photograph their own products. Reverse image searches will reveal where images have been lifted from.
Formulaic Sales Copy
Key phrases like “blowout sale”, “warehouse clearance”, “store closing sale”, “limited time offer”, etc. are strategically placed throughout scam sites to impart a sense of urgency about the deals. The same fake claims about authorized retail status and secure checkout are copied everywhere to convince shoppers. But it’s all a formulaic sales pitch rather than genuine content.
No Social Media Presence
Authentic brands have active social media accounts where real customers can engage with the company. Scam websites lack any Facebook, Instagram or Twitter presence outside of the fake paid ads. Searching for these social handles reveals no legitimate profiles tied to the website.
With fraudsters regularly iterating new scam sites, use these tips to recognize the usual patterns. And remember the golden rule – if an online deal seems suspiciously too good to be true, walk away.
Identifying the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam on Social Media
Identifying the Scam on Facebook
Fraudulent Facebook ads promoting the fake 90% off LOWA sales frequently appear in feeds and groups. Here’s how to analyze them:
- Prices up to 90% off or more on expensive LOWA hiking boots should raise suspicions.
- Slogans like “Warehouse Clearance Sale” or “Going out of Business Sale” create a false sense of urgency.
- The ads use stolen LOWA product images rather than pictures of their own inventory. Reverse image searches reveal where the images originated.
- Links lead to lookalike websites with LOWA branding but no real ties to the company or ability to honor advertised prices.
- Researching the Facebook page reveals a recently created account with minimal engagement or followers.
- No physical address, phone number, email address, or other valid customer service contact info is listed.
With hundreds of millions of Facebook users, scam ads can easily reach many potential victims. But learning the patterns makes them easier to spot.
Identifying the Scam on Instagram
Here are signs an Instagram LOWA post is fraudulent:
- The Instagram account has almost no posts, followers or engagement – clear signs of a fake profile.
- The language mirrors Facebook scam posts promising unrealistic 90% discounts or deep clearance prices on LOWA shoes.
- As with Facebook, the photos are stolen from LOWA’s official website or catalogs rather than the scammers’ own inventory.
- Links in bios and posts go to scam websites set up to fleece victims lured in by the fraudulent Instagram ads.
- No business details like a physical address or customer service line are listed – just an email that no one answers.
When an Instagram seller seems sketchy, do more investigating before buying through their site.
Identifying the Scam on TikTok
TikTok is another platform exploited to promote fake LOWA sales using these techniques:
- Scam accounts have no followers and only repost the same few pre-made videos endlessly.
- The videos feature stolen LOWA product imagery and use CGI to flash savings claims of 90% off or more.
- Text overlays include enticing slogans like “Last chance for clearance prices!” or “Today only – store closing sale!”
- Links promised in video captions and profiles lead to phony LOWA shopping websites ready to scam shoppers lured in by the videos.
- Comments are disabled and no business details are provided anywhere by the scam account owners.
Whether on social media or search results, use these red flags to proactively identify fraudulent LOWA promotions. Making purchases only through LOWA’s real verified accounts and website ensures you get authentic products at fair prices.
What to Do if You’re a Victim of the Scam
If you made an order through one of these fraudulent LOWA warehouse sale websites and never received your items, you most likely got scammed. Here are the important next steps to take in seeking recourse:
File a chargeback request immediately – Contact your credit card provider or bank and report the charge as fraudulent. Provide any evidence you have like screenshots of the website or confirmation email. Many card companies offer protections for customers who are scammed.
Inform the FTC – Submit a complaint through the Federal Trade Commission website so they can track and investigate online shopping fraud cases. The more victims speak up, the better chance there is of shutting down scams.
Warn others – Wherever you saw the scam being promoted in social media ads or groups, post that it is a fraudulent website targeting consumers. Spreading awareness helps prevent others from being cheated.
Run website security checks – Use tools like Norton Safe Web or Google Safe Browsing to scan any websites related to your purchase. They can identify malicious sites involved in phishing scams.
Remove payment methods – If credit card info was entered on a scam website, get a new card number issued by your bank for safety. Also update payment details on any ecommerce accounts.
Change passwords – If you used the same password on multiple sites, update your credentials everywhere. Scammers who steal passwords will try accessing your other online accounts.
Watch for identity theft – Keep monitoring your credit reports and bank statements closely for any signs of fraudulent activity related to your stolen personal information.
Talk to your bank – Your bank may be able to reverse any unauthorized debit transactions if reported promptly as fraud. Provide details on the scam purchase and fraudulent site.
Frequently Asked Questions About the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam
What exactly is the LOWA clearance sale scam?
This scam involves fraudulent websites promoted through social media ads that mimic authorized LOWA shoe retailers. They falsely claim to offer LOWA shoes and boots at clearance sale prices up to 90% off MSRP. However, it is a scam designed to steal credit card information and money from unsuspecting shoppers who place orders. Victims either receive nothing or low-quality counterfeit shoes.
How do I recognize these scam websites?
Check for red flags like prices too good to be true, recently registered domains, missing contact info, grammatical errors, stolen product images, fake discounts/urgency slogans, and no social media presence or customer reviews. Any legitimate retailer authorized to sell LOWA would not offer such implausible prices nor have an untraceable website.
Are the shoes they sell authentic LOWA products?
No, the scam websites have no affiliation with the real LOWA company based out of Germany. At best victims receive cheap knockoff versions. But in most cases, no shoes are ever shipped after submitting payment info online.
How are they able to use the LOWA brand and images?
These scam websites simply hijack the LOWA trademark, product photography, and catalog content directly from lowa.com without permission. Victims assume the sites are authorized retailers due to the official branding when they are not.
Why are the prices so low?
The up to 90% off claims are completely fabricated with no basis in reality. Scammers understand such unbelievable prices are an effective tactic to entice unsuspecting bargain hunters to make purchases without further scrutiny.
How do I report a scam website?
Notify the FTC immediately and file a chargeback request with your credit card provider. Also report fraudulent social media ads, pages, profiles to get them removed. Make complaints directly to LOWA as well. Spreading awareness helps warn other potential victims.
What if I already purchased from one of these scams?
If you provided your credit card information, request a new card number from your bank in case of fraud. Monitor your statements closely for bogus charges. Check credit reports for any signs of wider identity theft using your stolen info. Unfortunately recovering lost money is very difficult.
How can I spot these scams on social media?
Look for too-good-to-be-true prices, stolen images, fake urgency slogans, and social accounts with no history that only push the ads. Check websites thoroughly before purchasing. Avoid making purchases through social media ads altogether.
Are these LOWA clearance sale scams widespread?
Yes, warnings have appeared globally about these scam websites being heavily promoted on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The scam persists because it is cheap to quickly recreate the websites and social accounts to rip off consumers. Stay vigilant when shopping online.
The Bottom Line on the LOWA Clearance Sale Scam
Savvy online shoppers know that if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. The LOWA clearance sale scam preys on deal-seeking customers with prices that are implausibly low for a premium brand like LOWA. The scam creates an air of urgency and exclusivity around the promotions to hook victims.
But after handing over payment information, customers are left empty-handed. They receive no shoes or counterfeit products completely unlike what was pictured online for sale. Any attempt to contact customer service goes unanswered, quickly revealing the fraudulent nature of the website.
To avoid getting duped, be wary of unrecognized brands pushing clearance deals through social media ads. Look for red flags like no physical address, temporary domain names, sham contact info, and prices that make no logical sense. Only make purchases through secure sites of reputable retailers you trust.
If you were unfortunate enough to get cheated by one of these LOWA scam websites, immediately inform your credit card provider and file complaints with the FTC to have your case documented. Monitor your financial accounts closely for any signs of further identity theft.
By exerting caution and skepticism when deal hunting online, you can steer clear of clearance sale scams using the trusted brands like LOWA as bait. A few simple checks and precautions go a long way in protecting your money and information.
