IMPORTANT NOTICE

In mid-August, bad actors from overseas pirated a handful of product photos from the Hand Carved Antler Jewelry section of my site (all pieces that had sold 8/15/25). They also stole photos of me personally, along with information from my site, and used it to create webpages where they were "selling" my antler art pieces. These sites advertised a "Hot fire sale - 49% off" and had them priced between $17-$25. See the photo below for an example. These individuals also stole my social media videos and were using them in ads on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube to funnel people to these illegitimate sites, where people were misled into believing that they were purchasing from a female artist located in Texas.

EXAMPLE OF FRAUDULENT WEBSITE-THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE THIS

Protecting Your Purchase: Know the Facts

All of these sites were fraudulent. I only sell through my official website TheAntleredDoe.com. I have no authorized resellers, I do not offer wholesale, I do not sell on Amazon or WhatsApp, and I never privately message anyone on any socials. My hand carved antler ring sets are one of a kind pieces and all of my hand carved antler jewelry is very limited and is only released on special occassions.

What happens after you purchase from a fake site?

So what happens after someone purchases from these sites? People who bought from these sites likely received fake tracking information from somewhere overseas—mainly China. The packages never get delivered, and they unfortunately received nothing. You will notice that your package will get "stuck" somewhere and not move for weeks. If you reach out and are lucky enough to get a response from these sites, they will "resend" your ring and send a new fake tracking number. There is a chance, however, that people may receive a plastic, sloppily made replica of my work, as shown below. I am not associated with any of these websites and am in no way responsible for their actions.

Cheap plastic replicas

The replicas have open backs and are made from plastic-not antler

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you fell victim to their shenanigans—don't panic! You can get your money back, and here's how:

If You Paid with PayPal

Open a PayPal dispute

1. Log in to PayPal → Activity → Find the transaction → Fight/Resolve → Dispute this transaction.

2. Choose the appropriate reason, e.g., “Unauthorized transaction” or “Item not as described / not delivered.”

3. Provide a clear narrative: you never received the item, or it was not as described; attach evidence (screenshots, ad link, messages, proof of non-delivery). Use this blog article as evidence that it was fraud!!

   
   

Timeline and Expectations

PayPal typically requires you to file within 180 days of the transaction, but act quickly for better odds. PayPal may ask you to escalate to a claim if the seller doesn’t respond satisfactorily.

If the Dispute Becomes a Claim

When prompted, convert the dispute to a claim and upload all evidence:

• Ad link and merchant details

• Transaction ID, screenshots of commitment vs. delivery

• Messages showing unresponsiveness or misrepresentation

• Use this article as evidence that it was fraudulent!

  
  

If You Paid with a Credit Card

Immediate Steps

1. Contact Your Card Issuer Right Away

2. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card (or use your online banking app).

3. Tell them you were scammed via a Facebook ad and that you want to file a chargeback for a fraudulent or non-delivered purchase.

4. Provide: merchant name, transaction date, amount, and evidence that the item/service was not delivered or not as described.

   • Ask for a “fraud” or “card not present/unauthorized” chargeback if applicable. Some banks use special codes; follow their instructions.

   • tell them bank that the facebook page running the ad stole the video from a business in the USA and used stolen product photos as well.

     
     

   Follow the Bank’s Chargeback Process

5. You’ll likely need to submit a written dispute and copies of evidence (screenshots, chats, receipts).

6. Some banks require you to wait a short period before initiating a chargeback; start as soon as you have solid evidence.

   • Use the link to this blog entry as evidence that it was fraud!

     
     

   If the Bank Charges Back, Monitor the Case

7. Request status updates and any reference numbers.

   • Be prepared to provide additional information if the issuer asks.

     
     

If the Chargeback is Denied or Delayed

• Ask for Escalation: Request a supervisor or fraud specialist review your case.

• Provide Stronger Evidence: In your submission, clearly demonstrate non-delivery or misrepresentation (screenshots of ads, order confirmations that show “delivered” status but you didn’t receive anything, messages demanding payment with no follow-through). A link to this blog post.

• Consider a Police Report: Some banks require or appreciate an official police report for certain fraud cases.

  
  

Tips for Avoiding Scams

What to Avoid

• Don’t delay the chargeback request; time limits vary by issuer.

• Don’t provide more money or gift cards to the scammer (this often makes recovery harder).

• Don’t rely on email alone; keep a clear trail with dates, references, and screenshots. Don't wait to hear back from these people!! Do not wait until the item gets delivered to issue a claim! They will keep sending fake tracking numbers until your time to file a claim is up -they do not have my products!

  
  

Things You Can Say to Your Bank

When contacting your bank (phone or secure message):

“Hello, I would like to file a chargeback for a debit card purchase I made on [date] for [amount] from merchant [name]. The transaction was for a product/service advertised on Facebook, but I did not receive the item, and the seller has not fulfilled the order. I have attached evidence (screenshots, ad link, chat logs). Please guide me through the dispute process and advise on required documents.”

Stay Vigilant

This is happening to tons of small businesses all over the US right now. Please be sure to check over websites carefully before hitting purchase. If a site is "selling" handmade goods plus a bunch of other random items, it is a red flag. If you see an ad for something handmade or unique that you like, a quick search on Instagram or TikTok for the item you are looking for (example: hand-carved antler rings) will likely pull up the true maker and business. This is only going to get more prevalant unfortunately- software like McAffee Norton antivirus is really great at protecting you and will not even allow access to unsecure sites like these.

Remember, I’m here to help you find the perfect piece of nature-inspired jewelry. If you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out!