Many shoppers have recently reported seeing Facebook ads promoting Milwaukee power tool combo kits and accessories on clearance sale for only $29, $35 or $39. However, this is a scam designed to rip off customers. This in-depth article will uncover how this sneaky con works, red flags to watch for, and most crucially, how to avoid getting duped.
Overview of the Milwaukee Tools Set for $39 Scam
This scam revolves around fake ecommerce websites that mimic the real Milwaukee Tool site. They advertise popular Milwaukee tool sets, like the M18 Fuel 18-piece combo kit, for impossibly low prices like $39.
Slogans like “limited time only!” and “massive clearance sale” are used to create a false sense of urgency and exclusivity. Those tricked into ordering either receive:
- Nothing at all – the most frequent outcome. Orders simply vanish after payment.
- Cheap knockoffs – inferior quality tools that differ drastically from what was ordered.
- Used or damaged merchandise – clearly not brand new items.
- Completely wrong products – demonstrating no order accuracy.
Victims still have their personal and payment information stolen during checkout by these malicious websites. According to extensive research, these scam sites all belong to an interconnected fraud network based in China. The network runs countless fake retail sites to defraud customers daily.
Below we will break down exactly how this ruse works and ways to avoid getting cheated.
How the $39 Milwaukee Tools Scam Works
This scam executes a proven formula to deceive shoppers at every step:
Step 1: Constructing Elaborate Fake Sites
Sophisticated fake sites are built to closely mimic the real Milwaukee Tool website:
- The logo, images, branding are copied to match the authentic site.
- Similar domain names are used with extra words like “outlet” or “store”.
- Fake limited time promotions like “clearance sale ending soon” are posted.
- Terms and policies are plagiarized from other scam sites.
- A fake address and customer service number are listed.
Step 2: Driving Traffic Through Social Media
The scam stores are heavily advertised on platforms like Facebook:
- Facebook ads use video and images of Milwaukee products on deep discount. Headlines entice people to click through to the scam website.
- Targeted posts in DIY, tools, and contractor Facebook groups help expose the fake deals to potential victims.
- Individual users are paid to promote the unbelievable deals through their own Facebook pages and groups.
Step 3: Duping Victims into Buying
Tactics like limited quantity claims, countdown timers, and other psychological tricks are used to convert visitors:
- Prices like “only $39 for a $599 Milwaukee combo kit” create perceived urgency and exclusivity.
- Claims of “ending soon” or “selling out fast” pressure visitors to purchase immediately.
- After adding products to their cart, users are prompted to enter credit card and personal info to checkout.
- Security badges try to reassure people the site is legitimate, when their data is actually at risk.
Step 4: Taking Payment but Never Delivering Orders
Once orders are placed, customers will either receive:
- Nothing at all, which allows the scammers to profit the most.
- Cheap knockoffs made with inferior components, if anything at all.
- Used or damaged merchandise from liquidation auctions.
- A random product simply to slow chargebacks.
Either way, payment details have still been stolen for potential financial fraud.
Step 5: Rinsing and Repeating
Since the sites are completely disposable to the scammers, common tactics include:
- Shutting down the site after enough payments are processed, leaving no way for customers to pursue refunds.
- Quickly switching merchant accounts once too many chargebacks accrue.
- Re-emerging under new website names once blacklisted, to repeat the scam.
This demonstrates how the entire operation is structured to deceive and take advantage of unwary shoppers. Next, we will cover how to identify these fraudulent websites.
8 Warning Signs of a Milwaukee Tools Scam Website
While the fake sites try to precisely mimic the real Milwaukee shopping experience, some key red flags can reveal their deception:
1. Spoofed Domain Names
Scam sites will try to imitate the real URL using tactics like:
- Misspellings (milwaukeetoolssale.com)
- Slight variations (mymilwaukeetools.com)
- Subdomains (clearance.milwaukeetools.com)
- Different domain extensions (.net)
Typosquatting and fuzzy domain names like these should raise suspicions.
2. Unbelievable Pricing
Seeing premium Milwaukee combo kits advertised for $39 or $99 is a textbook indicator of a scam. Legitimate retailers cannot offer brand name power tools at such absurdly low prices.
3. High Pressure Tactics and Fake Scarcity
Phrases like “almost sold out!” or “sale ending in 2 hours!” are intended to overwhelm critical thinking and create hasty impulse purchases. Authentic sites do not use such forced scarcity gimmicks.
4. Lack of Contact Information
There should be phone numbers, a physical address, live chat box, and contact email clearly displayed. Scam sites will have little or no legitimate contact info.
5. Whois Data is Hidden
A Whois domain lookup should reveal ownership details, but scam sites use “private registration” to hide who registered it.
6. Generic Terms of Service and Privacy Policies
These legal pages are copied from other scam sites instead of being custom drafted. They may be completely irrelevant to tools and retail.
7. No Social Media Presence
The real brand has Facebook, Instagram, YouTube accounts with long histories. Fraud sites exist only as the fake online storefront.
8. Poor Spelling and Grammar
Sloppy writing riddled with blatant mistakes signals foreign scam operators rather than a U.S. based business.
Multiple red flags indicate an extremely high probability of the website being totally fake. Exercise extreme caution if these issues are present. Next, we will cover what victims can do if they unfortunately fell for the scam.
How to Spot the Milwaukee Tools Scam on Facebook Ads
Watch for these red flags when you see Facebook ads promoting huge Milwaukee tool discounts:
- Ad video shows expensive Milwaukee combo kits and tools on sale for unrealistic prices like $39 or $99.
- Ad uses urgency words like “almost gone!” or “selling fast!” to pressure people to buy quickly.
- The ad account name may sound vague like “Milwaukee Warehouse Sale” instead of the official Milwaukee Tool Facebook page.
- Clicking the ad takes you to a suspicious URL like milwaukeetoolswarehouse.com instead of the real milwaukeetool.com site.
- Ad promotes absurd discounts like “Entire site 90% off” that are clearly too good to be true.
- Comments are disabled on the ad to hide negative feedback exposing the scam.
- The Facebook ad account was only recently created this same month/year. Scammers constantly cycle through new accounts.
- No blue verified badge appears on the ad account. Milwaukee’s real Facebook page is verified.
How to Catch the Milwaukee Tools Scam on Instagram
Watch for these red flags when you see Instagram posts promoting huge Milwaukee discounts:
- The link in the bio goes to a suspicious URL like milwaukeetoolscheap.com instead of the real website.
- The post shows expensive Milwaukee tools or kits on sale for implausibly cheap prices like $29.
- Caption uses urgency tactics like “going fast!” to pressure people to buy before the made-up sale ends.
- Account has very few posts, all promoting the same fake sale.
- No blue verification checkmark appears on the account.
- Commenting is disabled or limited to hide negative feedback.
- The account was only recently created this month/year. Scammers constantly cycle through new accounts.
How to Identify the Milwaukee Tools Scam on TikTok
Watch for these signs of a scam when you see TikToks advertising huge Milwaukee tool deals:
- Video advertises site-wide savings like “All tools 60% off!” which are too good to be true.
- Caption tells viewers to click the link in the bio to get the discount before it expires.
- The link in the bio goes to a sketchy URL like milwaukeetoolsshop.com instead of the real website.
- No verification checkmark on the account, unlike Milwaukee’s real TikTok presence.
- Comment section is turned off so real users can’t expose the scam site.
- Video shows expensive Milwaukee tools on sale for improbably cheap prices.
- The TikTok account was only recently created this month/year.
Apply healthy skepticism to unbelievable Milwaukee tool discounts promoted on social media. Only purchase directly through milwaukeetool.com.
What to Do If You Are a Victim of the Milwaukee Tools Scam
If you placed an order at one of these sham websites and never received your items, take these steps immediately:
Step 1: Contact Your Credit Card Company
Call your credit card provider and inform them the charges were fraudulent. Request an immediate chargeback to reverse the charges and refund your money. Provide any emails or order documentation. Act quickly as chargeback rights expire.
Step 2: Monitor Your Credit Reports and Statements
Review credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for any signs of new accounts opened fraudulently in your name. Also carefully scrutinize bank and credit card statements for any additional suspicious charges by the scammers.
Step 3: Reset Online Account Passwords
Change the passwords on any online shopping, social media, and financial accounts if you used similar credentials on the scam site. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for enhanced security.
Step 4: Place Fraud Alerts on Your Credit
Contact the credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your credit reports. This makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Renew these alerts every 90 days.
Step 5: Report the Fraudulent Website
To protect other potential victims, report the scam website to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. File a complaint with the state attorney general. Reporting the site to online threat blacklists can also get the domain blocked.
Step 6: Leave Online Reviews to Warn Others
Post warnings on consumer review sites like SiteJabber and Trustpilot alerting people to the scam. Use a clear title like “Milwaukee tools set scam”. Include details of the deceitful practices used. This helps prevent the site from victimizing others.
By taking swift action, you can contain the damage and prevent any further identity theft or financial fraud due to the scam.
How to Avoid Milwaukee Tools Scams: 5 Crucial Tips
Here are key tips to protect yourself from these fraudulent tool shopping websites:
1. Only Purchase Directly From Milwaukee’s Real Website
Go directly to milwaukeetool.com for any purchases. Do not click questionable links, popups or ads that claim to offer deals. Manually type the URL every time to ensure you access the legitimate site.
2. Research Unfamiliar Websites Before Buying
Do a quick Google search for reviews of any unfamiliar website before providing payment or personal information. Look for complaints and scam reports. A few minutes of searching can uncover an obvious fraud.
3. Beware Unbelievable Discounts
If an advertised price seems impossible, like $39 for a $600 Milwaukee combo kit, dismiss it as a scam. Milwaukee does offer promotions, but nothing absurd like 90% off retail prices.
4. Verify Contact Information
There should be a real phone number, physical address and customer service options. Lack of this indicates a shady business.
5. Only Use Credit Cards For Purchases
Pay only via credit card when shopping on new sites. Credit cards have much stronger fraud protections and chargeback rights than other payment methods.
Following these tips and trusting your instincts can prevent you from becoming another victim of tools and hardware shopping scams.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Milwaukee Tools Set for $39 Scam
Shoppers need to stay vigilant against online shopping scams like fake websites promoting Milwaukee tools for unrealistic prices. Here are answers to the most common questions about this fraud.
What exactly is this Milwaukee tools scam?
This scam involves sham websites that pretend to sell premium Milwaukee tool kits and combo kits for absurdly low prices like $39. However, it’s a fraud designed to steal money and personal information from victims.
How do they advertise these fake Milwaukee deals?
Scammers run Facebook ads and social media posts showcasing videos of expensive Milwaukee products supposedly on sale for >90% off retail prices. Links in the ads redirect to scam websites.
What are signs of a fake Milwaukee tools website?
Red flags include unrealistic prices like $39 for premium kits, high pressure sales tactics, missing contact info, recently created domain, grammatical errors, lack of real social media presence for the site.
What happens when I order from one of these scam sites?
Most likely your order will never arrive. Or you may receive cheap knockoffs or used items very different from what you ordered. Either way, your payment and personal data is compromised.
What should I do if I placed an order on a scam website?
Immediately contact your credit card company to dispute the charges. Monitor your credit reports and bank statements closely for further fraudulent activity. Change any account passwords compromised by the scam site.
How can I avoid these Milwaukee tools scams?
Only order directly from milwaukeetool.com. Research unfamiliar websites before providing payment information. Beware unbelievable prices that seem too good to be true. Use credit cards for added protection when shopping online.
Does Milwaukee offer legit sales on tools?
Yes, real promotions and discounts are offered by Milwaukee on their official website and through authorized retailers. But Milwaukee will never advertise prices like $39 for premium combo kits. Only scam sites make such unrealistic claims.
Is it safe to order power tools from the real Milwaukee website?
Absolutely. MilwaukeeTool.com is a completely legitimate and secure website operated by the official Milwaukee company. Only fraudulent impersonator sites are unsafe.
Carefully research tool dealers online before providing personal or payment information. Following smart shopping practices will help you identify scam websites pretending to sell Milwaukee products. Don’t let them steal your money or compromise your identity.
The Bottom Line
Scam websites promoting unbelievable deals on Milwaukee power tools, like combo kits for only $39, prey on unwary shoppers through social media ads and imposter sites. By mimicking trusted brands and using deception, they manipulate victims into relinquishing money and sensitive personal data.
Avoiding these pitfalls requires healthy skepticism when deals seem too good to be true. Carefully analyze website credibility signals before providing payment information or placing orders. Only make purchases through fully verified legitimate retailers. If scammed, promptly dispute unauthorized charges and take steps to prevent identity theft.
Apply caution before giving away your valuable information and hard-earned money. Following smart online shopping practices will help you identify fraudulent websites and steer clear of their manipulative tricks. Don’t let tempting bargains undermine your better judgment.
