Is fitbitstore.us real site or scam?

[aceckert]

Through Google I ended up on fitbitstore.us which I thought was the actual fitbit site. I ordered 2 fitbit ace 2s, but became suspicious when I didn't get a confirmation and then couldn't create an account on site. They did charge me through paypal which listed the items (but uses a personal gmail account with a Chinese name). But have otherwise no idea if the order is being processed. This was 3 days ago and I am trying to figure out if I ended up getting scammed and should begin the process of contesting charge.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @aceckert  it's best to always go directly to the source, Fitbit.com and not try Google, because that is how people get scammed. I'd get with Paypal directly on this to begin the process. When I went to that address, it didn't recognize me and I'm logged in. I've notified a moderator about this and if it is a legitimate Fitbit site, they will tell us. Check out the real store at Fitbit.com for the real deals. Sorry.

[MatthewFitbit · Accepted solution]

@aceckert As mentioned by @Odyssey13 , we recommend making your purchases directly from fitbit.com, or consulting this page to verify authorized Fitbit retailers.

The url you mentioned is not one of our authorized retailers, and it sounds appropriate at this point to contact Paypal or your credit card company to revoke the transaction so that you can make your purchase somewhere else.

[Shap1778]

I'm super upset this happened to me tonight and I am so disappointed in myself.  This site looked like the real site and not knowing to much about fitbit I wasn't aware the site was fitbitus.com.  Any info on how to get the charges reversed is appreciated.  I did do it through paypal also and that is what made me realize it wasn't the correct fitbit site.  I sent paypal the email transaction but the transaction doesn't show up in my paypal account so I am concerned about that as well.  I cancelled the card but the charge is already pending.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @Shap1778  sorry this happened to you, too. It seems now and again these fake sites spring up and take advantage of trusting people. Since you used Paypal, get with them directly and even if you have to wait, try to stay on the phone to talk to them. When you were shopping, did you go to Google and put in "Fitbit" and the style you were looking for? That's how they get you. You see the prices and go with the least expensive one of the style you like. It's not hard for them to get plenty of people interested in their devices. Last year people were fooled and were sent cheap sports watches that couldn't have been worth more than $25, according to their posts.

[aceckert]

I talked to PayPal, and the merchant has until May 24th to respond to their inquiry and then they will reverse the charge. They will share any response they get. While not immediate I am confident in PayPal's resolution process. I spent 15 minutes looking at the site with the PayPal rep and they have details on the "merchant" from their end.

I have accepted it as a learning experience.

[Odyssey13]

Thanks for the update @aceckert and please let us know what happens. A few years ago a friend of mine had charges on her Paypal account that she didn't make and Paypal took care of it. I'm hoping they will be able to take care of this for you, too. Given all this, take a look at the Fitbit store and see what's there that you might want to get. 

[Shap1778]

Hi Jogger.  I am trying to chat with someone at PayPal.  Any help on what i should give them to help me get a refund as well would be appreciated.  I told the rep what happened and they said I could open a dispute but I am still waiting for a response.  I'm sorry this happened to both of us and it is indeed a learning experience but I am still mad at myself for not looking closer.  I truly thought I was on the actual fitbit website and this is a present for my niece who is graduating.  I just wanted to lift her spirits with everything going on.  Did you try to dispute it with your bank?  Did you get a confirmation email besides the paypal receipt?

[nycsav]

Same happened to me on Sunday- I made the purchase on my phone, upgrading from a Inspire HR to Charge 4, as the site claimed to give a discount of 30%. Paid via paypal; no confirmation from "Fitbit" the actual brand, then got the paypal receipt which had a random gmail address and a personal name. I emailed the address asking for cancelation, but obviously no response. Paypal won't refund the funds since I wasn't "logged in" my paypal account, so just filed a dispute with my bank. So ridiculous & **ahem**ty - taking advantage of people already stressed out with COVID and trying to keep up an exercise habit.

I just spent an hour waiting for a paypal rep who said the purchase isn't protected by buyer insurance since I wasn't logged into my paypal account to authorize the purchase (which should had been a red flag in the first place since they have their own security protocols for online purchases).  I just called my bank and filed a dispute. They gave me a phone # listed with that merchant: 402-935-7733.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[aceckert]

I did not get any correspondence from site other than the paypal confirmation. I sent them a few messages on site but never heard any thing. Also sent message to email that was listed on paypal email. I didn't contact bank since paypal is the intermediary that has direct contact with merchant. I have to imagine I am not the only person making a dispute against them so it helps to add my voice to the chorus against them.

That is odd. I wasn't logged in either, but I used the same email I use for PayPal.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[nycsav]

Same here - I had the same email address AND the same card that Paypal has on file. I believe the scammers found a way to bypass the Paypal login screen for buyers as logged in users will be covered by buyers protection from Paypal. However, them using paypal protects them with merchant rights. This is quite advanced scamming skills. Although may not last long after continued complaints.

[mjbn1977]

The same happened to me today. Noticed immediately that I was scammed as soon as I received the confirmation email. I instantly called by bank and stopped the charge, but they can't guarantee that it will be stopped. They said I have to file a fraud complaint later on. What are you guys doing?

This comment is a joke. The people here most likely thought they bought from Fitbit, since this scam website is made to make you believe you are on the Fitbit website. It's not Fitbits fault, but the Fitbit Moderator's comment is a punch in the face...

Moderator edit: merged reply

[aceckert]

@mjbn1977 , I spoke with Paypal. They assured me I was covered if no item is received. They gave the seller a few weeks to respond to them on the matter. I am just waiting. 

I realized something wasn't right because I got nothing but the email from Paypal about payment. Nothing from actual seller. Also the create account link on site doesn't work and no response to contacting them through site. Based on email in paypal email good chance if they are sending something it is coming from China so something could show up. I am probably better off not getting anything at this point as oppose to actually receiving something of questionable authenticity.

[mjbn1977]

where did you call? strange thing is I don't see anything on my paypal account. I only have the confirmation email from paypal and the charge on my Bank of America bank account. So, what do I actually tell paypal since there is nothing showing on my paypal account?

[Shap1778]

I'm having the same issue with paypal right now.  My bank wasn't able to stop the charge since they immediately did a card hold.  The bank told me to contact paypal first and file a dispute with both paypal and the fraud department at the bank.  I've been told it's a probably not on being refunded and I am so upset.  There are so many people this is happening to right now that both paypal and fitbit should be helping us out and we need to band together.  I legit believed I was on the fitbit site and that's a huge security issue with fitbit.  Also if you go to the paypal Facebook page so many people are commenting about being scammed and paypal doing nothing to help.

[aceckert]

@mjbn1977 I called the number at the bottom of paypal emails, 888-221-1161. The purchase doesn't show in my paypal activity because I wasn't signed in at time (used discover), but they show it as connected to me based on email. I just shared the transaction id in purchase email. 

It does seem like my Case ID and the transaction are separate from my regular Paypal account. I might need to call to check why. I originally called them because I wanted to find out if the purchase email really did come from paypal (since I didn't use paypal at time of purchase). Paypal rep looked at the site with me and they are a paypal merchant and their transaction page uses paypal API whether you login or use card number. Anyways, I am still waiting for resolution, but am currently satisfied with the way Paypal is handling it. 

[mjbn1977]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Lets stay in touch through this forum until its sorted out.

[nycsav]

@mjbn1977 @aceckert  @Shap1778 

PayPal finally got back to me (sent a message) with a case number. Earlier when I spoke to them, they weren't prepared to help at all; brushed me off quickly saying "we can offer buyer protection if you are logged into your account". Then I filed a dispute with my bank. 

My bank must have forwarded the dispute with PayPal, since they are now trying to hunt down "Trang Duong" - the merchant associated with the Paypal account. Or they are getting enough complaints from customers to investigate further.

My bank gave me the merchant phone number, and looks like they have been scamming people on paypal since 2013. There's also a fraud alert issued by the interpol for this number- it's crazy

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/PayPal-Basics/Suspected-fraudulent-charge-402-935-7733/td-p/6290...

I'm more concerned Paypal as a verifiable security company has allowed this associated phone # merchant to continue business on their platform while there are alerts on their very own site since 2013. 

[CindyMobley]

You can add one more person to the list of the scammed- and my Mother's Day gift, no less!  I've been patiently waiting, knowing of postal delays.  I just spoke with FitBit and it's clear it's a scam.  I'll call my credit card company to dispute the claim.... in the meantime, so sad not to have a fitbit.  I was a first time user...

[Odyssey13]

Hi @CindyMobley  sorry this happened to you. Thing is, these scammers work the system well enough to hit and run, taking your personal information and money with them. Now that you've come to the right place, you can keep an eye on sales at the Fitbit store online. Always get directly from Fitbit and when in doubt, go to a local retailer when possible, that is on the authorized retailer list. Hope your bank works with you.