Too-Good Clearance / Liquidation Ad
An ad claims a store is closing or liquidating stock at unreal prices to rush you into buying from a fake shop.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Ads announce a 'store closing,' 'warehouse liquidation,' or 'everything must go' with prices that are impossibly low, creating urgency to buy before it is 'gone.' The store is fake; the goal is your payment and card details. These often hijack the name or photos of a real closing business to seem credible. As with fake stores, you get nothing, a counterfeit, or surprise charges.
What it usually looks like
- A 'closing down / liquidation' ad with extreme discounts.
- Urgency that stock is nearly gone.
- A store you have not heard of, or a hijacked brand name.
- Payment on a site with no real footprint.
Common warning signs
- Unbelievable clearance prices with heavy urgency.
- No verifiable business details.
- Pressure to buy 'before it's gone forever.'
- Ads that lead to a brand-new checkout site.
Example wording scammers use
“STORE CLOSING: Everything 90% off! Liquidation ends tonight — shop before it's gone.”
“Warehouse must be cleared this week. Designer items at clearance prices!”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A fast payment before you verify.
- Your card details.
- To exploit closing-sale FOMO.
What to do
- Slow down; verify the business independently.
- Search the store name plus 'scam.'
- Pay by credit card and keep records.
- Skip deals that feel impossibly good.
What to do if you already responded
- Dispute the charge with your card issuer.
- Monitor for extra charges.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.