Almost Fooled by a Lululemon “Sale”: A Dad’s Lesson on Online Scams

In the world of cybersecurity, we talk about vigilance and verifying links all day long. As a cybersecurity auditor, I focus on Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and often find myself reminding clients and colleagues about the importance of secure online practices. But even with this background, I recently found myself almost falling prey to a scam—and it happened right in front of my 13-year-old daughter. Here’s what happened and what it taught me about the importance of maintaining a security-first mindset, both in our work and at home.

The Setup: A “Too-Good-to-Be-True” Sale

It all started on a regular afternoon. My daughter, like many 7th graders, loves Lululemon and spends time on Pinterest, pinning her favorite products and browsing for outfit ideas. She was riding the bus home when she excitedly spotted a post advertising an incredible Lululemon sale: 85% off leggings and pants that were originally $99, bringing them down to just $23.

Now, I’m typically more of a Wal-Mart or Old Navy shopper, but I know enough about Lululemon to realize that deep discounts are rare. But like any parent, I wanted to make my daughter happy. She’d just received a $25 Lululemon gift card for her birthday, and this “sale” seemed like a great way for her to stretch her gift money.

Step 1: Heading to the Store

We decided to drive over to our local Lululemon store. Oddly, there was no sale signage in the store—an early red flag. But we brushed it off, assuming it must be an online-only promotion. My daughter was thrilled to try on a few pairs, and we made plans to go home and order her chosen pair online.

Step 2: Adding to Cart… and Spotting Red Flags

Back at home, my daughter immediately began filling her cart on the website, ready to check out with her new gift card. However, there was no option to pay with a gift card, which felt odd. After looking further, I noticed that the website also lacked several other standard features, like customer service options or help sections. My internal red flags started waving furiously.

But what finally caught my attention was a small word in the top left corner of the screen: “DONE.” This told me she had accessed the site by clicking through from another app—in this case, Pinterest. I asked my daughter to pull up the link she clicked on, and there it was: a fake URL that looked close to the official Lululemon website but was not quite right.

Lesson 1: Be Wary of Links from Social Media

The URL was the biggest clue. I realized this “Lululemon” site was fake, a common phishing tactic targeting popular brands that teens love. These scams often use social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to lure users to fake sites that are disguised to look nearly identical to legitimate ones. If a social media link leads to an incredible sale, always type the brand’s official URL directly into your browser rather than clicking through the app.

Lesson 2: Trust Your Gut (and Teach Kids to Do the Same)

As adults, we can typically sense when something feels “off.” The lack of common e-commerce features—such as the option to use a gift card, access customer service, or find a help section—should have been our first hint. In this case, my instinct to look further at the URL saved me from nearly entering my credit card information into a fraudulent site. I talked to my daughter about this, explaining that if something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to stop and investigate further.

Lesson 3: If It’s Too Good to Be True…

The classic rule of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” holds especially true in online shopping. Lululemon is known for its quality and premium pricing, and an 85% discount on $99 pants is outside the norm for this brand. Teaching our kids to be skeptical of over-the-top discounts can help them avoid these types of traps in the future.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

If you or someone you know has entered credit card information on a suspicious website, it’s essential to act fast:

1. Monitor Financial Accounts: Check for any unauthorized charges and report them immediately to your bank. If you submitted credit card information, consider cancelling the card.
2. Report the Scam: Websites like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allow consumers to report phishing scams, helping prevent others from being affected.
3. Educate and Talk About It: Sharing experiences like this can prevent similar mishaps. It’s essential to educate young internet users about common scam tactics and empower them to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Wrapping Up: Security Awareness Starts at Home

For parents, cybersecurity professionals, and everyone in between, this experience is a reminder that online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Brands we know and love can be impersonated with convincing precision, making it critical to stay cautious, especially when deals seem too good to be true. My daughter and I learned a valuable lesson that day about staying vigilant, and I hope sharing this experience can help others avoid similar pitfalls.

The next time your child (or anyone else) finds an amazing online deal, take a moment to double-check it. And remember—real security awareness isn’t just for the workplace; it’s a mindset we should carry with us everywhere.

Compass IT Compliance is a trusted IT security and compliance firm dedicated to helping businesses strengthen their cybersecurity practices and protect their data against evolving threats. With a team of seasoned professionals, we offer a wide range of services, including IT risk assessments, penetration testing, compliance guidance, social engineering assessments, and virtual CISO solutions. Whether you're looking to improve your security posture or meet industry standards, Compass IT Compliance is here to support your journey toward a safer, more resilient organization. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your business from online scams and cyber threats.