Did you shop from an online store advertised on Facebook? Was the item sold at a discount price that seemed too good to be true? If Yes, you’ve been exposed to a network of online shopping scams operated by Honest Concept TDG Ltd.
This scam company which is registered in Hong Kong impersonates reputable retail brands like Chico’s, MandM, YOURS, Tommy Bahama, Alpinestar, etc. The scammers use fake clearance sale discounts to entice social media users.
Honest Concept TDG Ltd Scam: How It Works
- The scam begins by targeting social media users via Facebook Ads
- Proceeds to entice victims with mouth-watering discounts labelled ‘Overstock Clearance’ ‘Closing Sale’ etc.
- Fake reviews on the comment section are used to create a sense of authenticity and make people lower their guard.
- Phrases like ‘limited sale’ ‘only for today’ are written on the Ad to make people quickly click on the URL in order not to miss the sale.
- Potential buyers are deceived with a spoofed look-alike website of various brands
- Immediately buyers make payment, the scam kicks off; the fraudsters either send a fake tracking info or nothing at all.
Once the scammers receive payment from the buyers, they cease communication and disappear into thin air.
Why you should Protect Yourself from This Scam
Aside from not receiving the items paid for, victims of this scam could be affected by the following frauds;
- unauthorized charges on credit cards
- Automatic VIP membership subscription – Some dubious online stores often add customers into a subscription plan without their notice. Victims get charged a monthly subscription fee for unwanted items such as online health magazines etc.
- Malware infestation to steal customer’s data
Solution For Victims;
Cancel your credit card
Immediately call your financial provider and cancel your credit card. By so doing, the credit card details you used for your transaction would become null and void.
Request for a new card
After the old credit card has been cancelled, ask for a new card, it doesn’t cost much to get one.Your credit card issuer will issue you a new one with different numbers.
Report the Fraud To Relevant Authorities
Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations. This includes:
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
- Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.
How To Spot Fake Clearance Sales
Check the Company’s Social Media Accounts & Official Websites
The first step you should take is finding out if the giveaway has been posted on the company’s social media accounts. If it hasn’t, the giveaway is likely a scam.
Check For Grammatical and Spelling Mistakes
Scan the clearance post. Do you notice bad grammar, missing words, or spelling mistakes? These are red flags for a scam. Any company can make a minor mistake when typing out a win notification. However, multiple or glaring errors are a bad sign.
Check Website Registration Age
How old is the website? The domain age of a website tells a lot about a store’s legitimacy or transparency. Websites below 6 months old are often considered unsafe. You can find out a website’s age by checking on Who.is ( a free domain checker tool)
Find Out If The Website Used Has SSL Encryption
find out if the website is secured with SSL encryption. (https and padlock symbols). If the padlock symbol doesn’t appear near the website’s URL, then it means your personal and financial information is at risk at the store.
Search for Reviews Online
Are there reviews or posts about the clearance sale online? It’s common for various news outlet to carry information about legit discount sales. By searching for reviews online you could also come across warning posts or complaints.
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Nora