They say a good deal is hard to pass up, but when the deal seems too good to be true—well, let’s just say it’s probably a scam. And scammers are wasting no time taking advantage of JOANN Fabrics' recent bankruptcy announcement.
With news of the beloved craft retailer closing all physical stores, fraudsters have set up fake websites claiming to offer massive liquidation sales. If you’re not careful, you could end up losing your money and personal data. Let’s break down how this scam works and what you can do to stay safe.
The Scam at a Glance
Scammers are creating fake JOANN “going-out-of-business” sale websites that mimic the real thing. These sites lure unsuspecting shoppers with extreme discounts—sometimes up to 90% off—and encourage them to make a quick purchase. But instead of getting discounted craft supplies, victims end up with empty shopping carts and stolen credit card information.
How It Works
- The Bait: You see a social media ad or email promoting a massive JOANN Fabrics liquidation sale.
- The Hook: The ad links to a website that looks nearly identical to JOANN’s official site, complete with a real logo, images, and branding.
- The Trap: The site offers jaw-dropping discounts and sometimes even an extra promotional offer at checkout.
- The Sting: Shoppers enter their payment details, but instead of receiving their items, they either get nothing or, worse, have their credit card info stolen.
Who’s Being Targeted?
- Online shoppers looking for great deals
- Loyal JOANN customers familiar with its products
- People who frequently click on social media ads
- Those unaware of how to verify website authenticity
Real-Life Example
One shopper shared their experience on BBB Scam Tracker:
“We saw an ad for a JOANN Fabrics ‘bankruptcy’ sale with 80-90% off. It looked legit, so we added items to our cart. But then we noticed an extra ‘promotional discount’ and realized the site URL wasn’t JOANN’s real website. We quickly shut it down before entering our details.”
Another person nearly fell for it but caught a suspicious pop-up:
“The website looked real, but then I saw a message saying, ‘So-and-so just purchased this item.’ I knew the real JOANN doesn’t do that, so I backed out.”
Why You Should Care
Falling for this scam could mean:
- Losing money on fraudulent purchases
- Exposing your personal and financial data to criminals
- Having your credit card used for unauthorized transactions
- Becoming vulnerable to further phishing or identity theft attempts
How to Protect Yourself
1. Check the URL: JOANN’s official website is joann.com. If the link is slightly off (e.g., joann-us.com, joannsale.com), it’s likely a scam.
2. Avoid Clicking on Ads: Instead of clicking links in ads or emails, visit the store’s official website directly through your web browser.
3. Question Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True: Even during a liquidation, 90% off is suspicious. Compare deals with the official site.
4. Use a Credit Card for Online Purchases: Credit cards offer fraud protection, and you can dispute charges if you get scammed.
5. Be Wary of Excessive Information Requests: If a website asks for your Social Security Number or other unnecessary details, it’s a red flag.
Quick Tips
🔹 Did you know? Scammers often set up fake tracking pages to make you believe your order is on the way.
🔹 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a site, check for reviews, contact customer support, or verify with the retailer’s official social media pages.
Stay alert, stay informed, and shop smart!
Keyword Definitions
• Liquidation Sale: A sale where a company sells off inventory at reduced prices, often due to bankruptcy or store closures.
• Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.
• Identity Theft: The fraudulent use of another person's personal or financial information, typically for financial gain.
• URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address of a site. Fake websites often have slight misspellings or extra words to mimic real domains.
• Fraud Protection: A service offered by banks and credit card companies that helps consumers recover lost funds due to unauthorized transactions.
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