SCAM ALERT: Beware of Ascent Outdoors Impersonators!

An Important Message from Ascent Outdoors: Beware of “Clearance Sale” Scammers using Ascent Outdoors Branding

We’ve recently become aware that there’s a group of scammers running fraudulent eCommerce sites using Ascent Outdoors branding and offering deep discounts in an alleged outdoor gear clearance sale. These sites do not sell actual products — they are set up to capture payment details, steal money, and compromise personal information. 

Please be aware that our site (ascentoutdoors.com) is the ONLY legitimate domain that retails merchandise under our management. We are not offering a 90% clearance sale, going out of business, or liquidating our inventory.

You may run into an advertisement for this scam on social media platforms. Clicking on them will redirect you to a domain (often one that changes regularly) offering outdoor products at extreme markdowns. If you make a purchase, you most likely will not receive anything, and your payment will be stolen. At that point, you are at risk for further financial fraud and identity theft.

We’ve been contacted by several victims of this scam, as the fraudulent sites themselves don’t offer contact information, or the domains often disappear entirely after a short period of time. 

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any assistance aside from the following advice: 

What to Do if You’re a Victim

If you suspect that you've been duped by scammers, please take prompt action:

• Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to report the charges as fraudulent.
• Request fraud alerts from credit bureaus to safeguard your name and Social Security Number (SSN) and protect your accounts.
• Thoroughly monitor all financial accounts for any unauthorized transactions that may indicate misuse of your data. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
• Update your passwords on all online accounts with strong, complex ones. Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
• Beware of calls claiming to be from investigators requesting additional information, as scammers often use this tactic to gather more data.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and notify the web hosting provider of the scam site, if possible.
• Help spread awareness by sharing information about the scam on social media and scam warning sites to protect others from falling prey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Ascent Outdoors actually offering 90% off?
A: No, the we are not. These massive discounts are only advertised by fraudulent websites.

Q: Are the sites promoting a sale associated with Ascent Outdoors in any way?
A: No, these are entirely fake websites with no affiliation to Ascent Outdoors. They only pretend to be associated with us to scam customers.

Q: What typically happens when I order from one of these scam websites?
A: No products will be delivered since these sites do not sell legitimate items. They accept payment and send nothing. These scam sites will steal your money and personal data if you make a purchase.

Q: Can I get a refund if I realize I was scammed?
A: You can try disputing the charges with your bank, but they often deny claims for purchases made willingly, even on fake sites. We cannot refund you as we did not process your transaction. It's crucial to monitor your accounts closely instead.

Q: How can I recognize these Ascent Outdoors scam sites?
A: Warning signs include unbelievable discounts, a lack of genuine contact information, suspicious URLs, the use of stock photos, and social media ads. Remember, this site is the only legitimate source.

Q: Am I at risk if I give my payment info to these sites?
A: Yes, these sites will use your card details for financial fraud. Never provide genuine payment information to suspicious websites.

Q: What should I do if my personal data is stolen by a scam site?
A: Take immediate action by placing fraud alerts on your credit, monitoring all accounts for misuse, changing passwords, and reporting any suspicious activity without delay.