Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Many retail establishments are feeling the crunch of continuing inflation and reduced customer spending. Local consumers may already be accustomed to seeing “out-of-business” signs for their favorite stores in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The accompanying signs for a store closing may advertise big discounts and create a sense of urgency by stating “EVERYTHING MUST GO.” While many consumers may see this as an opportunity to snag a great deal on their favorite brands, it’s also possible they may encounter some deceiving sales.
Recently, a consumer from Parma reported to Better Business BureauⓇ (BBBⓇ) Serving Greater Cleveland that she was a victim of a Bed Bath & Beyond imposter scam. Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy in April and closed several hundred brick-and-mortar locations across the United States. The consumer told BBB that “I was looking thru Google and came across a Bed Bath & Beyond sale stating 70-90% off. I placed an order for $179.63 and then…received a confirmation number indicating all I had purchased and a tracking number which does not work.”
The consumer realized she was scammed when she did not receive the product and went back to the website and noticed the company name at the footer of the website, Aptatall, was not Bed Bath and Beyond. The consumer filed a Scam TrackerTM report with BBB and disputed the credit card charge with her bank. The consumer reported that the website was very convincing and used the official Bed Bath & Beyond logos. BBB also discovered there are many negative online reviews of Aptatall from consumers who were duped into believing they were legitimately placing an order from Bed Bath & Beyond. The Aptatall website, aptatall.com, was created in April 2023 and no longer appears active.
Better Business BureauⓇ (BBBⓇ) Serving Greater Cleveland has some tips for consumers looking for a bargain from a retail chain that is struggling or closing.
Start With TrustSM – If an entire retail chain is closing, the company may also advertise sales online. If clicking on an online ad, Check the URL for any misspellings which may indicate a scammer created an imposter website. Also, check out online retailer’s websites whose names you are unfamiliar with at BBB.org to see company reviews and ratings.
Check to Make Sure the Company is Truly Closing – Some retailers have made deceptive advertising claims about their operating status. For example, A rug retailer in Texas claimed to be “going out of business” for 404 days. Each state has different laws regarding business liquidating and closing sales. In Ohio, sellers may not advertise or conduct a distress sale for more than 45 days although they are eligible for another 45-day extension.
Confirm You Have a Deal – Google products you are considering purchasing to find current pricing. Also, know that some retailers may increase the prices of items before a sale or liquidation. Depending on the state in which the sale takes place, this practice may or may not be illegal.
Use Gift Cards – If you have a gift card for a store or restaurant that is going out of business, use it. When a company files for bankruptcy protection, a court will decide whether or not the business can honor gift cards. Visit BBB.org to read more about what happens to gift cards when a company goes bankrupt. Sometimes competing businesses honor gift cards from closing stores as a measure of “goodwill” towards consumers.
Use a Credit Card – When a store is closing, use a credit card for purchases as an added protection measure in case something is wrong with an item or an online purchase turns out to be a scam. This is helpful if a consumer paid for home delivery of an item, such as a refrigerator, and the company failed to show up. The consumer would then be able to dispute the purchase with their credit card company.
Victim of a scam? Please help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience on the BBB Scam Tracker. Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or [email protected].
