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With school starting soon, families are busy purchasing the necessary supplies and new clothes for their kids. This is also a busy time for scammers looking to sway parents and students looking for ways to save money. Here’s one example of what to look out for while shopping online.
This website, https://birkenstockus.co/, looks similar to the actual Birkenstock website. But take a look at those low prices, only $19.99! These are counterfeits, not real Birkenstocks.
The official Birkenstock website is https://www.birkenstock.com/us. And the prices are significantly higher. Ranging from $70 - $140.
A BBB Scam Tracker report received on August 3, 2023, stated that they went to the website https://discountonlineus.com/ and were redirected to a site that looked like Dick’s Sporting Goods - now it goes to this fake Birkenstock website! The consumer stated she placed an order and “...made payment [$47] via credit card, received a fake tracking number showing item delivered in Hawaii, I live in Utah, emailed merchant several times and no resolution.”
The bottom of the fake Birkenstock website states under the link “Contact Us” that the business is named AIMARK LTD and is supposedly located in London. An email, [email protected], is listed. Searching BBB Scam Tracker, there are 444 mentions for this and similar emails, referencing what consumers have reported as other similar scams using well-known brands such as Stanley, OOFOS, and Hey Dude.
BBB Mountain West offers these tips for safe online shopping:
- Know the advertiser. Some of the best deals are only available online, but be careful. It’s easy for a fake site to mimic a famous retailer’s website, so make sure you shop with a legitimate site. If the site is missing contact information, that is a red flag. Check out retailers at BBB.org before you shop.
- Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “HTTPS://” and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.
- Be a savvy shopper. When shopping online, take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for the return policy; although many online orders can be returned for a full refund, others have restocking fees. Some items cannot be returned; know before you buy.
- Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. Many sketchy retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that doesn’t match the promotional hype.
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Offers on websites and unsolicited emails may offer free or very low prices on hard-to-find items. There may be hidden costs, or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge. Look for and read the fine print.
- Shop with a credit card. In a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protection; it’s easier to dispute charges you didn’t approve or get your money back if there is a problem. Debit, prepaid, or gift cards don’t have the same protections as credit cards.
- Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page or email confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied. Know and understand the return policy and keep this documented with your purchase records.
- According to the FTC, when you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time. If a seller can’t ship within the promised time, they have to provide you with a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.
For more information
For more online shopping tips for consumers and businesses, visit BBB.org/OnlineShopping.
If you spot a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help others avoid falling victim to similar tactics.