Watch out for these scams targeting Joann closing sales, experts warn
Watch out for these scams targeting Joann closing sales, experts warn
If you're looking to cash in on going-out-of-business sales at closing Joann stores, beware of scammers.
Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have issued warnings about scammers targeting internet users with fake deals of 80 to 90% off via phony liquidation websites.
The scam tactics come as the last remaining Joann stores close their doors this month. The crafts retailer, which has been in business for over 80 years, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, the second time it made such a filing within a year.
Here's what you need to know about shopping safely as Joann closes its doors.
See list: Joann closing all remaining 440+ stores by May 31
Joann tells customers to shop in store, not online
As of March 5, purchases on Joann.com are disabled and shoppers looking to take part in going-out-of-business sales should visit a location in-person, Joann said in a note at the top of its official website.
'Beware of fake Joann websites," the company wrote. 'There are no other authorized Joann shopping websites. Please see your local store for all your crafting needs. Inventory varies by location.'
According to the company's website, all stores will be closed by the end of May and a sale for 70-90% off items in-store was still ongoing.
Scam alert: Bogus customer service is just the latest online scam you need to be aware of
Shoppers warned of scams
The FTC and BBB have each issued warnings that unsuspecting customers could see an ad on social media for a Joann 'going-out-of-business' sale. Once the customers click on the ads, they are directed to a website that looks just like the legitimate Joann website.
The fake website contains real company logos, and lists products for 80-90% off.
'The products being sold are products that you are familiar with purchasing at Joann, so the sale seems legitimate,' the BBB said. 'As you start to add items to your cart, you may also be offered an additional promotional discount that brings prices down even more.'
But the website's URL is not www.joann.com, the BBB said. Instead, the URL is for a website scammers made to steal personal information.
'The website looked identical,' scam victim says
According to one customer who submitted a report on April 28, they saw an ad on Facebook for a 90% off liquidation sale.
'The website looked identical to (Joann) Fabric,' the customer wrote in a report to the BBB's Scam Tracker. 'I did not send them money. Now they are spamming my email with urgent emails about not being able to hold my order.'
The customer said they're glad they checked for scams before adding their payment information to the website and placing the order.
'I hope my experience spares someone else,' the customer wrote, adding that the email address associated with the scam is service@jo-ann-storesale.com.
Another customer said on March 17 that the 'scammer copied the Joann Fabrics website in extreme detail.'
The customer thought the site they ordered from was legitimate, but after waiting three weeks and still not receiving their items or a tracking number, they knew something was amiss.
'After waiting and trying to send them email inquiries with no response, I finally decided to call them with the number listed on THEIR website,' the customer wrote. 'I got a recorded line trying to sell me insurance. That's when I realized it was a scam.'
How to protect your information and avoid scams
The BBB said customers who are shopping online can take the following steps to make sure they don't fall victim to scams such as the one targeting Joann customers:
Confirm the website's URL. URLs for fake websites are often off by a letter or two, or they contain extra words.
Avoid clicking links and go directly to the official website.
Keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Use your credit card for online purchases because credit cards offer additional fraud protection that debit cards don't.
Do not submit personal information such as your social security number.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
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