Fake Brand Outlet Scams on Pinterest
Scammers create Pinterest boards impersonating brand outlet sales, directing brand-conscious shoppers to fraudulent websites that harvest payment details.
Part of: Fake Brand Outlet Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Brand-oriented shopping is one of Pinterest's most popular use cases, making it a natural target for fake brand outlet operations. Users searching for deals on specific brands encounter pins that appear to be official sales or clearance events, complete with recognisable brand imagery.
Because Pinterest's external-link model means purchases happen off-platform, scammers can operate fraudulent brand outlet sites that process many payments before being identified.
How this scam works on Pinterest
Pinterest boards are created under names like '[Brand] Outlet Sale' or '[Brand] Clearance Event'. Boards are populated with pins using legitimate brand imagery and links to a fake brand website. The URL is designed to look official — for example, adding 'outlet', 'sale', or a country code to the real brand name.
Buyers who click through find a site designed to match the real brand's aesthetic. After completing a purchase, goods are not delivered or the website becomes inaccessible. Some operations also use Pinterest's promoted pins to extend reach beyond organic search.
Because the brand imagery was stolen, victims often do not immediately suspect the brand itself — they assume the order has simply been delayed.
Common red flags
- Pinterest board name includes a brand name with 'outlet', 'clearance', or 'sale' added
- Pins use official brand imagery but link to a URL that is not the brand's verified domain
- Board was created recently and contains only sale-related content
- Sale discount is far larger than the brand's typical promotional offers
- The brand's official verified Pinterest account has no reference to the sale
- Checkout requests payment via non-standard methods
How to protect yourself
- Verify any sale by navigating directly to the brand's official website
- Check the brand's verified social media accounts to confirm any sale event
- Never follow a Pinterest link to purchase from an unknown URL for a brand you recognise
- Report impersonation boards and pins to Pinterest immediately
- Contact the brand's official customer service if you are unsure whether a sale is genuine
How to report it
- Report the Pinterest board and pins using the report function, selecting intellectual property violation
- Notify the genuine brand's customer service or IP enforcement team
- File a report with your national consumer protection authority if a purchase was made
Frequently asked questions
Why would a scammer use Pinterest rather than a more transactional platform?
Pinterest users are specifically browsing for products to buy, making them highly receptive to purchase-oriented content. The visual format also allows fraudulent brand imagery to make a very strong first impression before any text is read.