Sam Ash scam resolution

[mellowdee7]

My husband found out that the Sam Ash Music stores were closing and saw an ad on Facebook to buy equipment at highly discounted prices.  It took him to a website with the Sam Ash logo and he ordered 2 guitars.  It went through PayPal but when the charge came up, it was from a scammer in China.  I called PayPal to let them know not to pay it, but I was told that because it was pending, I would have to wait 7 days and call back.  WHAT!  I'm letting them know that numerous people are buying from the fake site but they won't do anything about it now??  

Buyers beware.  Do not go to a Sam Ash site from Facebook - it a scam!

[gascolator]

Sadly, PayPal ignored this well-documented  scam and just breezily went along and went from "authorized" to "charged" as if everything was okay. And "Oh, well, wait a few weeks and we'll look into it." 

Um, no. 

So now they can pay for a chargeback from my CC company. 

All PP really had to do was to flag any similar charges put in dispute. 

Just another reason to not ACH PayPal but instead put another layer of protection between them and you. 

[JD156]

The problem is under section 230 social media companies like Meta are shielded from any legal liability for criminal activity on its platforms. So it doesn't take action to eliminate fraud in its ads like ecommerce sites usually do. I paid a fraudulent paypal acct directly through my credit card, but did not use my own pay pal to do so there is no paypal transaction on my end to dispute.

[DMcGinley1]

They got me a couple of days ago; I discovered it immediately upon hitting the payment button after I was thinking of getting more and did a Google check, but they were immediately paid with no delay, so now I have to wait 7 days for a resolution. Luckily it was only one guitar, but I feel like an idiot. Unbelievable how professional some of these scams look, even though the massive discount was a flag. Live and learn I guess, if it's seems too good to be true . . . you know the rest.

[JD156]

It’s not you, it’s them. They turned our interests and passions against us in one of the most diabolical schemes I can recall. Sam Ash is going out of business. Sam is offering discounts in its warehouse liquidation sale. Sam Ash is not selling a professional Yamaha tenor sax valued at $3,500 retail for $129. 🎷😥

[cmcmanus20]

Has anyone manged to get either a refund or merchandise from this SCAM store? They sent me tracking information for an order and it took 19 days to show it was delivered and signed for. Only problem, it wasn't delivered and signed for because I bet the tracking company had me waiting and hoping it was not a scam. I canceled a 2nd oorder and have a cancelation e-mail but still got charged and no refund has come forth in 3 weeks. Everybody else in the same boat?

[acmaintainer]

Go to PayPal and report the problem. I posted a description of the process, nut it is probably well down the many replies. PayPal has promised a refund to my credit in 3-5 days.

[Cgarlie]

Got me too. Similar deal -- friend told me about Sam Ash going under and the deals so I clicked on the ad and got a "guitar" (via PayPal). Then came the receipt from PP and instead of Sam Ash it was from an "Italian Restaurant" so I knew I' d been had. I usually check the links for these things but was in a hurry but didn't, so it cost me. Lesson learned.

Logged a "cancel" with PP, but as noted, they won't cancel a transaction so will need to wait it out.

But given the replies to this thread it appears this has been going on for almost a month (maybe more???) so why hasn't Facebook blocked these SPONSORED ads? I'll admit that the spammer is good (I've now seen several variations on the ad), but come on FB, get on it (and similar junk!)

[jamduv870]

I too have been duped by the facebook ad about Sam Ash.  I was able to successfully win the petition and refund my money against those fraudsters ( and that's exactly what they are: fraudsters ). 

I will say, that when you do petition against them, provide the screenshots of your fraudulent receipt, also show no taxes were taken out ( a real biz would do that) and no tracking information was given in the receipts, also provide screenshots of the products you purchased from the scam site itself, and a screenshot of the real sam ash website with their scam warnings.  Lastly, also upload a screenshot of the scam alerts that have been going around. 

I hope this helps.  They got the best of us playing to our passions, may they rot. 

[Cgarlie]

Thanks for the tips. I have screenshots of everything.

What really bugs me is that the ads continue to show up on Facebook even after I have reported it as a scam SEVERAL times. I know these hackers are tricky but one would think FB would be better and up to the task of removing crap like this.

[RachelJade]

I think a class action lawsuit against Facebook and/or PayPal might get their attention. They can't overlook the fact the PayPal accounts and the FB pages are for fake sites. Sites run by thieves. So, in a way, they're harboring and encouraging criminals. I think that kind of tolerance is illegal.

I got scammed this morning by a fake Sam Ash site and realized it two hours later. I immediately contacted PayPal and asked them to cancel my payment. They gave me the song and dance about pending and authorization and waiting 30 days to see what happens.

I'm motivated enough to see if I can sue PayPal and/or Facebook in Small Claims Court in my county (in Massachusetts).