OnlineHokaSale.com is one of the many scam websites that claim to sell Hoka shoes at discounted prices.
- The website is new: According to Whois, the domain name OnlineHokaSale.com was registered in June 2023—it’s common for scammers to create new websites all the time before they’re pulled down, in order to evade detection.
- Poorly designed: The website has a number of grammatical errors and typos, and the overall design is unprofessional. Even the hero image is cut off on the homepage, indicating that it was lifted.
- Company info is lifted: The scammers didn’t try hard when it comes to the sitemap. The information under Our Story and Our Impact are screenshots from the official Hoka website. The legal pages, including the Shipping Policy and Return Policy, are also lifted.
- Unrealistic claims: The website claims to sell Hoka shoes at significantly discounted prices, for example, they’re selling a pair of Women’s Bondi 8 that retails for 165 USD for the random amount of 39.89 USD.
- No contact information: The website does not have a physical address or phone number listed. It only has a questionable email, [email protected] listed.
- Fake reviews: All the reviews featured on the site are fake, and likely made up by the scammer or lifted from genuine Hoka retailers.
How to avoid being scammed when shopping online
Scammers are constantly coming up with creative ways to swindle victims out of their hard-earned cash, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are a few ways to avoid scam websites when shopping online:- Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to well-known and established online stores that have a good reputation. Avoid shopping on websites that you’ve never heard of before or that look unprofessional.
- Look for the HTTPS lock: When you’re on a website that’s secure, you’ll see a padlock icon in the address bar and the URL will start with “https://” instead of “http://”. This means that your information is encrypted and protected from hackers.
- Beware of phishing emails: Scammers often send phishing emails that look like they’re from legitimate retailers. These emails may contain links to fake websites or ask you to enter your personal information. Never click on links in emails or enter your personal information unless you’re sure you’re on the real website of the retailer.
- Be careful about social media ads: Scammers often use social media ads to promote fake products or websites. Be wary of any ads that offer products or prices that seem too good to be true.
- Read customer reviews: Before you buy anything, read customer reviews to see what other people have said about the product and the retailer. If you see a lot of negative reviews, it’s best to avoid the product or retailer.
- Be careful about what information you share: Only share your personal information with retailers that you trust. Avoid giving out your Social Security number or credit card information unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Do your research: If you’re buying something from a new or unfamiliar retailer, take some time to research them online. Read reviews from other customers and see if the retailer has a good reputation.
- Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true: If you see a product that’s priced significantly lower than it is on other websites, it’s probably a scam.
- Don’t wire money to sellers: Wiring money is like sending cash, and it’s very difficult to get your money back if you’re scammed.
- Use a secure internet connection: Avoid shopping online when you’re using public Wi-Fi, as these networks are less secure.
