Beware of online scams that offer too-good-to-be-true deals. The Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam is just one of many fraudulent schemes that prey on unsuspecting consumers looking for a bargain. The scam promises an outdoor electric bike with a 48V/15Ah lithium battery for as low as $20.99, significantly lower than its actual retail price of $1599. With fake ads on popular platforms like YouTube and Facebook, scammers have been successful in luring people into their trap. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how this scam works, examples of similar scams, and what you can do to avoid falling victim to such schemes.
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How the scam works
The Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam works by luring unsuspecting consumers into making a purchase on a fake website that appears to be affiliated with the reputable retail chain Macy’s. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how the scam works:
1. Ads on YouTube and Facebook.
The scam starts with an ad that appears on YouTube and other online platforms that feature the Macy’s logo and advertise an outdoor electric bike with a 48V/15Ah lithium battery for an unbelievably low price, such as $32.89 or $20.99. The ad claims that the bike comes with a 5-year warranty and features a product image that appears to be of high quality.
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- Macys Clearance Sale Electric Bike facebook ad
2. Fake online store.
When users click on the ad, they are redirected to a fake online store that appears to sell the same bike at the advertised price. The fake online store mimics the design of a legitimate Macy’s website, including the use of similar fonts, colors, and imagery, to convince users that the offer is authentic. However, the website’s URL may contain misspelled words or additional characters, which is a red flag indicating that the site is not genuine.
3. Urgency tactics.
The fake online store uses a range of tactics to create a sense of urgency and persuade users to make a purchase quickly. This includes fake countdown timers, urgency messages, and limited-time offers. The site may also feature fake customer reviews to further convince users of the legitimacy of the offer.
4. Payment details.
When users attempt to purchase the bike, they are asked to enter their payment details, including credit card information. The scammers behind the fake online store then use this information to make unauthorized purchases or withdraw funds from the victim’s account. In some cases, the scammers may also steal the victim’s identity, which can lead to significant financial losses and even long-term damage to the victim’s credit score.
5. No delivery.
After the payment is made, victims do not receive the bike or any confirmation of the purchase. The scammers simply take the money and disappear, leaving the victims with no way to track the purchase or get a refund.
It’s important to note that this Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam is just one example of a larger trend of online scams that use fraudulent ads and fake online stores to deceive unsuspecting consumers. In fact, we previously reported on a similar scam that even promoted the same electric bike but posed as a Costco store. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and use a range of tactics to create a sense of urgency and persuade users to make a purchase quickly, often resulting in significant financial losses for victims. It’s crucial for consumers to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves when shopping online.
Examples of such scams
As we’ve noted, the Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam is just one example of a larger trend of online scams that use fraudulent ads and fake online stores to deceive unsuspecting consumers. Unfortunately, this type of scam is not limited to just the Macy’s brand or electric bikes. There are numerous other examples of similar scams that have targeted consumers with attractive deals on high-quality products. Here are just a few examples of scams that are similar to the Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam: PIONEER FLAME MINI TRIKE for $29.99, DEWA BEST CORDLESS COMBO KIT for $50, Swagtron EB-6 Bandit E-Bike for $89, 3V Aramid Fiber Electric Bicycle for $60, and Drone with 6K UHD Camera for $9.90.
It’s clear that these types of scams are widespread and continue to target unsuspecting consumers. It’s important to remain vigilant and take steps to protect yourself when shopping online.
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- Planterbox.store Multifunctional Luxury Tool Chest
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- Costco Clearance Sale Scam Store
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- Wonuse.com 360-Piece Mechanical Set Toolbox
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- Mirouz.com Enclosed Heated Scooter
Remember, always be cautious when making online purchases and take steps to protect yourself from online scams.
What To Do if You Were Scammed
If you have been scammed by the Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike Scam, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you used a credit card to make the purchase, contact your credit card company immediately and dispute the charge. They may be able to reverse the charges and investigate the transaction.
- Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. This will help law enforcement agencies track and shut down the scammers.
- Contact the manufacturer. If you are unsure whether the product is genuine or not, contact the manufacturer of the real product to confirm whether the online store you used is authorized to sell their products.
- Monitor your financial accounts. Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges or suspicious activity. If you see any, report it immediately to your bank or credit card company.
- Stay vigilant. Scammers are always coming up with new tactics to deceive consumers, so it’s important to be cautious when making purchases online. Do your research, verify the authenticity of the product and the legitimacy of the online store, and only purchase from reputable sources.
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to protecting yourself from online scams. Stay informed and stay vigilant to keep your personal and financial information safe.
Threat Summary
| Name | Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike Scam |
| Type | Online shopping scam |
| Fake claims | Offers non-existent product at a very low price |
| Scammers’ websites | macysclearance.com, ensitofal.com, dejavio.com |
| Damage | Financial loss, identity theft |
| Distribution methods | Social media, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, fraudulent online stores |
| Prevention Tips | Research before making purchases, verify authenticity of products, be cautious of low prices, use secure websites and payment methods, don’t give out personal information, be wary of unsolicited emails/messages |
| Reporting Info | File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint, contact bank/credit card company to dispute charges, monitor financial accounts, contact manufacturer to confirm authorized sellers |
How to spot and avoid such scams
To avoid falling victim to scams like the Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike Scam, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Before making a purchase, research the product and the seller. Look for reviews and ratings, and check the seller’s website for information about their return policy, shipping information, and contact details.
- If you’re unsure whether a product is genuine or not, contact the manufacturer to confirm whether the seller is authorized to sell their products.
- Scammers often lure consumers with low prices that are too good to be true. If the price seems too low for a product, it’s likely a scam.
- Look for the padlock icon in the URL bar and “https” in the website address. This indicates that the website is secure and your personal and financial information is encrypted.
- When making online purchases, use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer more protection against fraudulent transactions, and you can dispute charges with your credit card company.
- Be cautious of websites or sellers that ask for personal information beyond what is necessary to make a purchase.
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or messages, and be wary of emails that ask for personal or financial information.
Conclusion: Protecting Yourself from Online Scams
The Macy’s Clearance Sale Electric Bike scam is just one example of the many online scams that exist on the internet today. These scams are designed to deceive and exploit unsuspecting victims for financial gain. While it can be difficult to identify such scams, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. These include being cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, double-checking website URLs for misspellings or additional characters, and avoiding clicking on suspicious ads. Additionally, it’s important to keep your personal information safe by not sharing it with anyone online unless you are certain they are legitimate. By staying vigilant and informed, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to online scams.
