Beware of the Deceptive Online Joann Fabric and Crafts Sale
Going Bust: Joann's Fake Clearance Sale Scams Explained
During a big-box shop's bankruptcy, you might spot some unbelievable deals. But, beware! Scammers are capitalizing on your love for a good deal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about online clearance sales being advertised on social media, pretending to be from Joann Fabric and Crafts.
In February 2025, Joann Fabric and Crafts announced its plan to shutter stores following Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings. The company temporarily halted purchases on its website, but scammers have jumped at the chance to capitalize. They're promoting fake online clearance sales on Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor with ads that link to bogus sale sites.
Seduction of the Scam
These fraudulent sites lure you with amazing discounts and links to purchase inventory items. You may even receive a receipt. However, the money disappears into scammers' pockets, and you won't receive the items you ordered. The charge on your credit card won't be from Joann, either.
Avoid Getting Burned
Take it slow before grabbing a "too-good-to-be-true" deal. Don't click on ads for online sales; always navigate directly to the company's website by entering the URL. In Joann's case, there's a notice on the website stating, "There are no other authorized Joann shopping sites."
Pay with a credit card when shopping clearance sales, and retain receipts. Credit cards offer better protection against fraud, allowing you to contest charges and secure a refund.
Don't let Scammers Steal Your Dickens!
To spot and steer clear of Joann's fake online sale scams, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Imposter Ads: Scammers post ads with enormous discounts (80-90%) on platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor, pretending they're Joann sales. These ads lead to fake websites replicating Joann's sales.[1][2][5]
- Unauthorized Online Sales: Joann Fabric and Crafts have stopped online purchases and are only conducting in-store clearance sales. Any online sales claiming to be from Joann are likely counterfeit.[1][2]
- Suspicious Website Details: The scam websites let you "purchase" items, even sending a receipt. But the receipt and credit card charge won't be from Joann. Often, the website URL and payment processing details will be dubious.[1][3]
Stay clear of these scams by evading ads on social media or search engines, confirming sales through Joann's official website, and being cautious about urgent offers.[1][2] Instead of debit cards, use credit cards for online purchases due to their better fraud protection.[1][2] If you encounter a suspicious Joann online sale or fraudulent charges, report them to the Federal Trade Commission to aid investigations and warn others.[2]
[1] https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2025/03/feds-warn-consumers-about-fake-joann-fabric-craft-clearance-sales[2] https://www.consumerreports.org/scams/fake-joann-clearance-sales/[3] https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/03/online-clearance-scam-targets-joann-fabrics/[4] https://www.nbc12.com/2025/03/07/feds-warn-consumers-of-fake-joann-clearance-sales/[5] https://mashable.com/article/joann-fabrics-caught-shoppers-buying-fraudulent-clearance-items/
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about fraudulent online clearance sales being advertised on social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor, pretending to be from Joann Fabric and Crafts, particularly during the company's bankruptcy.
- In the finance and general-news industry, Joann Fabric and Crafts' bankruptcy has led to an increase in online scams, as scammers capitalize on consumers' desire for good deals by promoting fake online clearance sales with links to bogus sale sites.
- The crime-and-justice sector has seen an influx of cases related to these scams, where scammers, posing as Joann Fabric and Crafts, lure consumers with amazing discounts only to disappear with their money, leaving them without the items they ordered.
