TalkScams Team — educational discussion
Fake closing-down sale advertises extreme clearance discounts — warning signs and safety checks
TalkScams Team discussion starter — an educational scam scenario, not a victim account.
What is the scam pattern?
Fraudsters have imitated a well-known craft retailer's closure sales with pages claiming dramatic online markdowns. An online checkout and emailed receipt do not prove that the real chain operated the sale.
Warning signs to recognize
1. An online 'liquidation' store advertises discounts the retailer has not confirmed.
2. The seller's identity and payment protections cannot be verified
How to check or protect yourself
1. Check the retailer's independently located official sale information.
2. Retain receipts and report suspicious merchants to the marketplace or FTC
Discuss with the community
How would you verify the seller, payment method and return policy before buying?
Original government advisory: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/avoid-online-joann-impersonators-their-fake-sales