As we head into the holiday season, shopping for gifts should bring joy and excitement. Unfortunately, it can also bring a rise in scam websites that prey on unsuspecting customers. Recently, we were alerted by a loyal customer that a scam site is selling our products — or at least claiming to. This discovery has prompted us to share our story and some tips to help you protect yourself from online fraud.
A few weeks ago, a customer reached out to us after noticing our Mother’s Angels® ornaments listed on a suspicious website. The site looked legitimate at first glance, but it was actually run by scammers using our images to trick people into either buying cheap imitations or — worse — taking their money without sending anything.
⇧ A scam website selling our products.
After investigating, we discovered that these scammers, operating under the name Landbase Trading Co., LTD, have a history of duping consumers. Despite our efforts to take action — including reporting them to Meta (Facebook), their domain and hosting providers, the Better Business Bureau, and even the FTC — no one has stepped in to stop them. In fact, the domain provider shockingly threatened to share my personal information with the scammers after I filed a complaint. It's terrifying how difficult it can be for small businesses to fight back against these fraudsters.
During my research, I stumbled upon a website that details this online company. You can read more about the shady network behind this scam here. It's honestly shocking how they've been able to continue operations with no accountability.
With the surge in online shopping during the holidays, scammers have found it easier than ever to create fake stores that appear legitimate. A few years ago, we addressed this issue in a popular article — "Protect Yourself From Shadly Online Stores" — after numerous customers mistakenly labeled us as scammers in comments on our Facebook ads (and, unfortunately, we may now understand why)! That piece was a key resource for helping our customers steer clear of fraud, and it remains one of our most-read articles.
Here are some key signs to help you avoid falling for these schemes:
⇧ The contact information for the scam company is represented by an image instead of live text.
⇧ A screenshot showing our legitimacy on Etsy.
We believe some comments we’ve received on our Meta (Facebook) ads come from customers who purchased from fraudulent websites pretending to be us. Misled by these scam sites, they end up receiving subpar or no products at all and mistakenly blame us for their experience. These comments unjustly damage our reputation. We take great care in crafting high-quality Mother’s Angels® ornaments, and it’s disheartening when customers miss out on the true value of our work due to these scams.
Even more concerning, running online ads is extremely costly. When scam products are sold under our name, it not only harms our reputation but also squanders valuable ad spend as frustrated customers leave negative comments blaming us for scamming them. We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to combat these scammers, but we need your help too. If you see our ads, your support through likes, loves, or comments makes a huge difference. Even if it feels repetitive, each interaction helps new viewers recognize that we are a legitimate company. Your engagement is crucial in reinforcing our credibility and ensuring potential customers can trust us.
Here are a few extra tips to help you stay safe while shopping online, especially when you come across ads on social media:
The scammers from Landbase Trading Co. LTD are still using our images to sell fake or nonexistent products. They’ve set up multiple stores, many of which are advertised on Facebook, targeting unsuspecting holiday shoppers. Please be cautious when you come across ads for our products that seem unusual. We are actively trying to shut them down, but they are still running their fraudulent operation as of this writing.
If you’re ever in doubt, please visit our official website or contact us directly. We want you to have the confidence that you're purchasing authentic, handcrafted Mother’s Angels® ornaments made with love and care right here in Texas.
As a small business, we take immense pride in creating unique, heartfelt ornaments that bring joy to so many. It’s disheartening to know that others are trying to exploit our hard work for their own gain. We ask that you stay vigilant and always double-check where you're buying our products from.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. We’ll continue to do everything in our power to protect our customers from scammers, and we deeply appreciate your support in helping us safeguard the integrity of Forged Flare® and our beloved Mother’s Angels® ornaments.
Thank you for being part of our journey, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Explore our best sellers today and discover the unique beauty and heartfelt craftsmanship of our ornaments. Your support not only guarantees you receive a genuine product but also helps us continue creating and sharing our passion with you.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping us spread the word. We look forward to serving you and bringing joy through our handcrafted creations.
Happy shopping and stay safe!
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