The Sam Ash Music store recently announced its closure, and following this news, it was revealed that some scammers have created fake ads on Facebook, offering irresistible deals. It’s important to note that Facebook is known as a hotspot for such fraudulent activities, with 62% of scams occurring on the platform, according to Aura.
In this post, we will explore how the Sam Ash closing scam works and give you the needed tips to verify the legitimacy of a Sam Ash site. Additionally, we’ll give you 9 important warning signs to help you spot a scammer on Facebook.
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What is Sam Ash Music?
Sam Ash Music is a renowned store in the music retail industry, established in 1924. Known for its quality instruments, rentals, and lessons, it is open to musicians of all types. Founded by violinist Sam Ash, it has grown into a trusted national brand with a world-class online presence.
However, on May 2, 2024, Sam Ash announced that it would close its stores, ending operations after a century of service. The Ash Family made this tough decision with heavy hearts, initiating store closing sales across all locations.
What is Sam Ash’s Closing Scam?
Following the report that Sam Ash stores were closing, a new wave of misleading Facebook ads and websites appeared. These exploited the situation to take in unknowing consumers with discounts of up to 90 % on sought-after items like Gibson Les Paul guitars and other instruments.
Scammers created websites that imitate the design of the legitimate Sam Ash website but use fake URLs are:
- sammusic.top
- samashstore.shop
- samashclearance.top
- guitarclearance.top
With our complete official guide, you will learn how to detect fake websites and protect your information.
How the Sam Ash Closing Sale Scam Works?
The Sam Ash closing sale scam follows a structured plan designed to fool consumers looking for deals as the company supposedly closes down its stores. Here’s how the scam gets started:
1. Creation of Websites and Ads
Scammers begin by setting up fake websites that copy the official Sam Ash site and take domain names that closely look like the legitimate website’s URL. At the same time, fake social media ads show up, using the Sam Ash logo and reporting false business closure news to create a sense of urgency with potential buyers.
2. Advertising Unrealistic Discounts
These fake sites attract customers with incredibly steep discounts on popular items, such as offering Gibson Les Paul guitars for $89, drastically reduced from the usual $2,000, or Marshall amps for $79, slashed from $800.
3. Collection of Payment and Personal Information
During the checkout process, customers are motivated to fill in their payment details and shipping information. The scam websites may display fake security badges and use HTTPS to appear more secure and honest.
4. Non-Delivery of Orders
Once the payment is processed, the outcome is typically that no goods are delivered. If anything is delivered, it might be an item undervalued, such as a cheap guitar tuner instead of a high-end guitar.
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How to Spot Facebook Scammers: 8 Key Signs
Given that 51.2% of social media shoppers recently made a purchase on Facebook Marketplace, according to Welivesecurity, being informed of the common warning signs is important. Here are 9 warning signs to watch out for on Facebook:
1. Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals
Exceptionally low prices on high-ticket items on Facebook Marketplace should raise suspicions. Scammers attract victims with incredible deals that seem too good to pass up. For example, If you see a Gibson SG or a Fender Stratocaster for $120, it’s likely fake; the normal price for those guitars is around $2,000
2. Urgent Unwanted Messages
Any unwanted messages that press for quick actions or decisions, especially those requesting personal data, should be looked upon with suspicion. An example could be receiving a Facebook message that claims: Last chance to claim your prize! Click this link and enter your credit card details immediately to pay for shipping and secure your limited-time offer.
3. Look-Alike Profiles
Scammers may pretend to be someone you know by creating fake profiles. If you receive an unexpected message from a contact, verify its authenticity before responding. An example is if you receive a Facebook message from a friend, but something feels off. The profile picture looks different, or the account has little mutual friends than expected.
4. Requests for Immediate Payment
Scammers often ask for money using imperceptible payment methods such as Cash App, Zelle, wire transfers, or gift cards. These methods are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to refund, making them favorites between fraudsters. Moreover, understanding how to spot a Facebook PayPal Scam is important as it is another common tactic used.
5. Profiles with Few Friends or Followers
Scammers often create new accounts with few friends or followers. A lack of social activity, like recent posts or interactions, typically leads to a fraudulent account. Always inspect such profiles before attracting or accepting requests.
6. Poor Grammar and Strange structure
Be wary of messages with unusual grammar, spelling, or structure. Scams typically originate from non-native English speakers, leading to difficult phrasing and common errors. An example is: Dear friend, am contact you with great deal on electronics! New brand phones and laptops at 80% discount just for you today.
7. Links to Strange Websites
Be cautious of messages that include links to external websites, especially if they are unfamiliar. These sites might be set up to steal your personal information. In the case of Sam Ash, the scammers are using fake websites like samashstore.shop.
8. Requests for Personal Information
Watch out for messages asking for sensitive information like passwords, two-factor authentication codes, or banking details under the aspect of “securing” your accounts. No legitimate company will request such data through unsolicited communications.
You may be interested in learning about tools such as scam website detectors and how they can help you identify fake websites.
Combating the Sam Ash Scam with Cryptoscam Defense Network
With so many scams and fraudulent sites on the internet today, spotting them is becoming more and more challenging. In 2023 alone, the FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports, with the average loss reported as $500, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network.
As online scams grow more complex, Cryptoscam Defense Network is increasing its efforts to combat them. By going on into community insights, we’re dedicated to raising awareness and teaching people how to keep their wallets safe and away from fraudulent schemes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sam Ash Closing Scam
What Should I Do if I Receive a Suspicious Sale Ad on Facebook?
If you receive a suspicious sale ad on Facebook, it’s important to report it immediately. Facebook is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for its users. They actively remove content that intentionally takes in, voluntarily misrepresents, or otherwise defrauds or exploits people for money or property.
How Can I Differentiate Between a Legitimate Website and a Scam Site?
To differentiate between a legitimate website and a scam site, one key indicator to look for is an SSL/TLS certificate. This is represented by a padlock symbol in the web address bar and the presence of “https://” at the beginning of the URL, as opposed to “http://”.
Secure sites use HTTPS, which checks that the data sent between your browser and the site is encrypted. Fake websites often lack this security measure and are not authenticated, making them more vulnerable and less trustworthy.
Are there Specific Warning Signs of a Scam that I Should Look out for on Social Media Platforms?
There are several warning signs to watch for on social media platforms that might indicate a scam, like:
- Too-good-to-be- true deals.
- Urgent uninvited messages.
- Look-alike profiles.
- Request for immediate payment.
- Profiles with only a few friends or followers.
- Poor grammar and strange structure.
- Links to strange websites.
- Request for personal information.
