New Balance is one of the most popular and trusted athletic shoe and apparel brands, known for quality running shoes, sneakers, and activewear. However, online scammers are exploiting New Balance’s reputation to rip off unsuspecting customers through fake clearance sales promising prices up to 90% off.
This detailed guide will uncover how these New Balance clearance scams work, what to watch out for, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from being swindled by these deceptive websites and social media ads.
This Article Contains:
An In-Depth Look at the New Balance Clearance Sale Sca
The New Balance brand has become synonymous with comfortable, well-made shoes and athletic wear ever since the company was founded in 1906. For over a century, New Balance has engineered innovative footwear catered to runners, athletes and anyone just looking for stylish, high-performance kicks.
Fraudsters are capitalizing on New Balance’s strong brand recognition and customer loyalty by creating sophisticated fake ecommerce websites made to mirror the look and feel of an authentic New Balance store. Everything from the logo, product photos, website template, and branding is copied to trick visitors into thinking they are on the official New Balance site.
These scam websites prominently advertise eye-catching blowout “clearance” sales, with prices slashed up to 90% off. For example, a pair of popular New Balance running shoes originally $120 might be listed for just $29. Or a high-end $500 New Balance leather jacket on “clearance” for only $49.
These jaw-dropping low prices are intended to entice victims into purchasing from the fraudulent sites. The scammers often use countdown timers or limited quantity alerts to create a false sense of urgency about taking advantage of the bogus deals. Once shoppers add items to their cart and input payment info, the scammers have what they want.
Sadly, victims soon realize those amazing clearance prices were completely fake. The websites have no association with New Balance whatsoever. Customers never receive the name brand products they paid good money for. At best, victims get cheap counterfeit items clearly not from New Balance. More often, online shoppers report receiving nothing at all after placing orders.
Even worse, victims gave their personal information and credit card numbers directly to these scam artists running the fake New Balance websites. Beyond just losing money on worthless products, shoppers also face the terrifying prospect of credit card fraud and identity theft.
By mimicking the look of a legitimate New Balance retailer, these criminals are able to rip off consumers who think they’re getting unbelievable bargains on top quality athletic gear. But the harsh reality is that these fraudulent websites exist solely to steal money and sensitive personal data.
How the New Balance Clearance Scam Works
The sophisticated criminals behind these fake New Balance stores have devised clever strategies to dupe online shoppers. Here is an inside look at exactly how the New Balance clearance scam unfolds:
Step 1: Create convincing fake websites
These scam websites put major effort into appearing as close as possible to the real New Balance ecommerce site. They prominently splash the New Balance logo and branding throughout the site. The products pictured are stolen images from New Balance’s official website and social media accounts. The site will have features shoppers expect, like customer reviews, sizing guides, an online cart, and sections for men’s, women’s and kids’ products.
To seem even more legitimate, the sites list a customer service phone number and physical address. However, any contact info leads nowhere. Still, the polished site designs lend credibility to lure in potential victims.
Step 2: Heavily promote fake clearance sales on social media
Once the fake ecommerce stores are ready, the scammers concentrate on driving traffic to them through social media ads and posts. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow them to target users likely to be interested in New Balance products with specific demographics and interests.
The ads tout the fraudulent clearance sales, such as “New Balance Flash Sale! Today Only! Up to 90% off.” When users click on the compelling ads, they get funnelled to the scam websites to place orders. The social promotion adds legitimacy in victims’ minds.
Step 3: Fool shoppers into purchasing worthless products
On the fake sites, tempting photos of New Balance shoes and clothing are displayed next to prices that are unbelievably marked down. For instance, a $200 pair of running shoes for just $29, or a hoodie for 90% off.
Scammers often use scarcity and urgency tactics as well, such as limited quantity messages or short timers counting down to urge customers to add items to their cart immediately before they “sell out.” But in reality, they have unlimited worthless products. Once payments are submitted, victims discover they’ve been hoodwinked.
Step 4: Collect payment details and personal info from victims
To complete orders, the scam websites require customers to input sensitive personal and payment information, including full name, address, phone number, email address, and credit card number. All this valuable info goes straight into the hands of the fraudsters running the fake New Balance stores.
With victims’ data, scammers can easily engage in identity theft or make unauthorized charges to the cards. Unsuspecting shoppers looking for clearance bargains end up losing hard-earned money and putting their information in the hands of criminals.
Step 5: Never ship out promised products
After submitting payment info, excited customers anxiously await their shipments of discounted New Balance products. But the days and weeks go by and the orders never arrive. Many report never receiving any shipping confirmation or tracking number.
Other scam victims eventually receive fake tracking numbers, or packages containing cheap knock-offs clearly not New Balance shoes or clothing they ordered. Either way, the customers get scammed out of their money with nothing legitimate to show for it.
The cruel truth is now clear: those amazing online clearance sales were an elaborate hoax to steal credit card numbers, identities, and cash from well-meaning shoppers. By the time victims realize they’ve been conned, the scammers are long gone with their sensitive information and money.
Recognizing Fake New Balance Websites: 8 Warning Signs
While the scam websites may look convincing on the surface, they are not hard to spot upon closer inspection. Here are 8 tell-tale signs that a website claiming to sell New Balance products is a fake:
- Too-good-to-be-true prices – Authentic New Balance shoes and apparel will not be 90% off or $29. Discounts over 50% off are highly suspicious.
- Stock photos – Scammers use generic product images found online instead of unique product photos. Reverse image searches will reveal the original sources.
- No SSL Certificate – Legitimate sites will have “https://” URLs and a padlock icon. Lack of SSL means your data is not secure.
- Suspicious domain – Fake sites often use domain names registered very recently and containing random numbers or words.
- No reviews – Authentic retailers encourage buyer reviews. Lack of reviews on the site or anywhere online indicates a scam.
- Grammatical errors – Poor English and typos give away scam sites created quickly overseas.
- No physical address – Check that a clickable real address is provided, not a fake office.
- Sketchy contact info – Watch for email-only contact and phone numbers that lead nowhere. A real company will have legitimate working customer service channels.
Your best bet is to only order directly from NewBalance.com or authorized major retailers like Amazon, Foot Locker, Dick’s, and Sports Authority with purchase protections.
How to Identify New Balance Scams on Social Media
A big part of how the fake New Balance websites attract victims is through social media ads and posts. Scammers have become experts at using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote their bogus deals. Here is what to watch out for on each platform:
Spotting New Balance Scams on Facebook
Facebook’s massive user base and ad network make it a prime target for scammers. They create Facebook ads for the fake clearance sales that appear in your feed and can easily be mistaken for legit offers.
- Be suspicious of any Facebook ad touting a New Balance sale with extremely low prices like 90% off or $29 for a $299 product. Legitimate discounts will be 50% at most.
- Watch for urgent messages in the ads like “Going out of business!”, “Today Only”, or “Limited quantities!” This pressures you to act fast without closer inspection.
- Clicking on the ad will likely take you to a scam website. Look for other red flags like stock photos, recent domain registration, and lack of contact details.
- Reverse image search any product photos used. Scammers typically steal images from real New Balance sites. Unique images indicate an authentic seller.
- Check for a blue verification badge on the Facebook Page running the ad. Lack of verification indicates a scammer is impersonating a real business.
- Search for evidence that the Page has a history of scamming. Look at comments and reviews for mentions of fakes, stolen money, or no products delivered.
Identifying New Balance Scams on Instagram
From Instagram Stories to Explore posts to influencer partnerships, scammers leverage many angles on Instagram to push their cons:
- Be wary of Instagram ads for New Balance with abnormally low prices. This is the #1 sign of a scam trying to hook bargain hunters.
- Watch for Stories or posts using enticing captions like “Going out of business sale!” or “Today only blowout deal!” along with crazy low prices.
- Reverse image search any product photos. Fraudsters often steal official New Balance images from Instagram and Pinterest to make their deals seem real. Unique pictures indicate a true seller.
- Click on the seller’s profile. Scam accounts often have zero or very few organic followers and following accounts. Legimate businesses have appropriately large followings.
- Check that tagging a location results in a real physical address, not just generic terms like “San Francisco, CA”.
- Beware Instagram influencers promoting deals too good to be true. They may be getting paid by scammers to rope in victims.
Catching New Balance Scams on TikTok
On TikTok, scammers use fake videos and high engagement tactics to spread their cons:
- Search TikTok for the product you want to buy to analyze videos promoting it. Fake demonstrations using stock footage or stolen videos should raise red flags.
- Engage with caution. Scammers pay for fake likes, views, and comments to make their deals seem popular and trusted. Don’t assume high engagement means a seller is legit.
- Reverse image search product images in posts. Matching results indicate stolen media, not unique products.
- Research sellers touting prices that seem unrealistic. Search for reviews indicating they never delivered products to previous buyers.
- Watch for urgent captions demanding you act fast before you miss out on low prices. This pressures you to buy without thinking first.
Across social networks, scammers rely on convincing fake content and fear of missing out to perpetrate clearance sale cons. But learning their tactics makes it possible to spot and report them before you get ripped off.
What To Do If You’re Victimized By a Fake New Balance Website
If you placed an order on a scam website masquerading as New Balance and either received nothing or counterfeit products, take these steps ASAP:
- Contact your credit card provider– Report the fraudulent charge and request an immediate chargeback. Act fast, as chargeback rights expire. Getting your money reimbursed depends on quick action.
- Monitor statements closely – Keep a close eye out for any additional suspicious charges from the stolen credit card info by scammers. Report any unauthorized transactions right away.
- Change passwords – If you reused the same password on the fake site, change it everywhere else ASAP. Use strong unique passwords for every account.
- Freeze credit – Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to place a credit freeze preventing criminals from opening new accounts in your name.
- Check for identity theft – Keep monitoring your credit reports and statements closely for any signs of fraud. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
- Warn others – Share details of the scam on consumer sites to prevent others from falling victim to the same frauds. Report fake sites to the FTC.
- Consult professionals – If identity theft resulted, you may need to involve professionals like attorneys or recovery services to clear damages.
By acting quickly and decisively, victims can maximize their chances of recovering lost funds and preventing further damages from identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Balance Clearance Sale Scams
New Balance is one of the most trusted athletic shoe and apparel brands worldwide. But scammers are exploiting New Balance’s reputation to rip off customers through fake clearance sales online. This FAQ answers critical questions about how to avoid falling victim to these New Balance scams.
What exactly is the New Balance clearance scam?
Fraudsters set up fake ecommerce websites impersonating an authorized New Balance retailer. They lure in shoppers with bogus deals like 90% off shoes and clothing. However, the sites are completely fraudulent and designed to steal your money and personal information.
How can I identify a fake New Balance website?
Watch for excessively low prices, stock photos, recent domain registrations, lack of contact info, no SSL certificate, missing customer reviews, grammatical errors, and inability to find a physical address. These are clear scam site red flags.
Why are New Balance products on these sites so cheap?
The hugely discounted prices like $200 shoes for $29 are fabricated to entice bargain hunters. No legitimate retailer offers anywhere close to 90% off genuine New Balance merchandise. The low prices are a trick.
Will I get real New Balance products if I order?
Absolutely not. The scam websites have no connection to New Balance. Customers either get low-quality knockoffs or completely random items unrelated to their order. Many report receiving nothing after payment.
Is it safe to enter my payment details on these sites?
No, never enter your credit card or other sensitive information on questionable websites. The sites exist solely to obtain your data for financial fraud and identity theft. Only shop trusted, verified sites.
How can I get a refund if I realize I’m scammed?
Unfortunately, getting a refund is very difficult since the retailers are fake. Immediately contact your credit card issuer to dispute the charges as fraudulent and request a chargeback. This is the best chance for recovering lost money.
Where can I report a fake website?
Report scam sites to the FTC, IC3, BBB, and New Balance so appropriate action can be taken. Providing details helps get fraudulent sites investigated and shut down to prevent further victimization.
Should I order from social media ads for New Balance sales?
Use extreme caution with sales in social media ads from unknown sellers. Thoroughly vet any website you are directed to and look for multiple scam indicators before purchasing anything. Avoid deals that seem unrealistic.
How can I safely shop real New Balance sales online?
Only order directly from NewBalance.com or authorized major retailers like Foot Locker with buyer protections. Carefully research any unfamiliar sellers and inspect sites for scam red flags before providing payment information.
Stay vigilant and use common sense to avoid the trap of New Balance clearance scams. If an offer appears too good to be true, it should raise serious suspicions. Only shop trusted sites to safely take advantage of real New Balance deals.
The Bottom Line
New Balance is one of the most trusted and respected brands when it comes to athletic footwear and apparel. Unfortunately, the brand’s stellar reputation also makes it a prime target for impersonation by unscrupulous scammers running fake online clearance sales.
These fraudsters create convincing fake ecommerce websites advertising New Balance products at unbelievable prices up to 90% off retail. They heavily promote the bogus deals on social media to lure in bargain shoppers. However, the sites are complete scams designed to steal credit card and personal information as well as money from unsuspecting victims.
The harsh reality is that amazing deals like $200 shoes for $29 are never legitimate. When items are advertised at prices that seem too good to be true, they invariably are. These scammers rely on the allure of once-in-a-lifetime deals to profit from innocent shoppers excited to score big savings on premium athletic wear.
Consumers can protect themselves by learning to research websites thoroughly and watch for signs of fraud. Only order directly from NewBalance.com or authorized major retailers selling New Balance. If you stick to trustworthy sites and carefully vet deals that appear unrealistic, you can shop online safely without getting duped.
By exercising caution and avoiding impulse buying based on emotions like fear of missing out, shoppers can confidently take advantage of real New Balance sales and promotions. Seek out discounts that provide true value, not empty promises of 90% off. And never enter personal or payment information into any website you don’t fully trust.
Stay vigilant for signs of clearance scams impersonating prestigious brands like New Balance. Trust your instincts – if an offer seems too good to be true, it is. Make your online shopping dollars go further by identifying and avoiding frauds. Your smart shopping will keep you and your identity protected as well as help bring down these scamming operations exploiting an iconic athletic brand.
