White Mountain Puzzles is a reputable company known for its high-quality jigsaw puzzles, with a large customer base that attests to the brand’s reliability and the quality of its products.
However, there have been recent reports of scam websites and social media profiles claiming to sell White Mountain Puzzles at steep discounts.
These scam sites impersonate the official company, attempting to trick consumers into parting with their money.
Imagine finding a White Mountain Puzzle, usually priced at over $20, for a mere $5. Sounds like a steal, right?
But before you click that “Buy Now” button, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dissect the anatomy of such scams, specifically focusing on the White Mountain Puzzle scam that has been making rounds on the internet.
What Makes White Mountain Puzzles Special?
White Mountain Puzzles has been around since 1978 and is known for its high-quality jigsaw puzzles.
They offer a wide range of puzzles with various themes and difficulty levels, from simple 300-piece puzzles to challenging 1,000-piece ones.
Most people who’ve bought from them have great things to say about the quality and customer service.
The company has built a strong reputation, which sadly also attracts scammers.
Also, whitemountainpuzzles.com wrote the below message on their homepage:
PLEASE BE AWARE OF SCAMMERS!
We continue to see scam accounts on social media platforms pretending to be White Mountain Puzzles. Please be aware of these fake accounts and stick to purchasing from sites you trust. If you see an offer that looks too good to be true it is most likely a scam. Every White Mountain Puzzle is manufactured in America, we do not ship from out of the country. If you come across a scam site, please report it. Thank you!
What is the White Mountain Puzzles Scam?
The White Mountain Puzzles scam involves fake websites offering White Mountain Puzzles at steep discounts, often more than 50% off the original price. These websites often lack secure payment options, clear contact information, and customer reviews.
The scam aims to exploit the brand’s popularity and the consumer’s desire for a good deal.
It’s crucial to verify the authenticity of the website before making any purchases to avoid falling victim to this scam.
How Did You Discover White Mountain Puzzles Deal?
The first point of contact usually happens through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.
These platforms are fertile grounds for scammers to plant the seeds of deceit.
They use targeted ads to lure in potential victims, capitalizing on the algorithms that know just what you’re interested in.
How Scammers Are Tricking You
Unfortunately, some nasty folks have caught on to how popular White Mountain Puzzles are.
They’re setting up websites that look almost like the real thing and offering crazy discounts on puzzles—way below the usual price.
Once you enter your credit card details, they’ll either steal your money straight away or try to commit other types of fraud.
Bottom line? You’re not going to get that awesome puzzle you thought you were buying.
The Red Flags: What Makes White Mountain Puzzles Deal Suspicious?
The Cyber Analyst made a video exposing the eaurekae.com website and pointed out some red flags as explained in detail below:
1. Freshly Registered Domain
One of the most glaring red flags is the domain registration date. In the case of the White Mountain Puzzle scam, eaurekae.com domain was registered on May 15, 2023.
A newly registered domain should always be approached with caution.
2. Origin of Operation: China
While being operated from China doesn’t automatically label a website as fraudulent, it’s a factor that can’t be ignored.
Many online scams originate from regions where legal repercussions are minimal or non-existent.
3. Low Trust Score
Trust scores are invaluable tools for assessing the legitimacy of a website. A low trust score is a glaring red flag.
For instance, the website in question had an abysmally low trust score, which is a clear indicator of its dubious nature.
4. Content Analysis: Intelligent Rules
Advanced scam detection tools employ intelligent rules to analyze website content.
These rules are designed to identify potentially unsafe websites, and in this case, the website failed miserably.
5. Impersonation Tactics
The website blatantly impersonates White Mountain Puzzle, a reputable brand.
This is a classic scam tactic used to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
6. High Discounts: The Ultimate Bait
The promise of high discounts is the cherry on top of this scam sundae. Offering products at a fraction of their actual cost is a tactic employed to lure in victims.
Protective Measures: How to Safeguard Yourself
- Do Your Research: Always investigate before making any online purchases.
- Check Reviews: Look for customer reviews on third-party websites.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Stick to secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal.
- Verify the Website: Use scam detection tools to check the website’s trust score.
Conclusion: Always Be Cautious
In the digital age, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The White Mountain Puzzle scam is just the tip of the iceberg.
Always exercise caution and do your due diligence before making any online purchases. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Always be cautious, especially when a deal seems too good to be true.
By staying alert and doing some research, you can enjoy your puzzles without any worries.
