Common Home Depot Scams: Examples and How to Spot Them

Scammers have taken Home Depot’s “Doers Get More Done” slogan to heart (they’re definitely doing the most for scamming). While Home Depot is helping you improve your home, scammers are making a mess, with scams that leave your wallet in worse shape.

The common Home Depot scams are phishing, gift card scams, fake phone calls, and bogus online deals, promoted using fake websites. To protect yourself, always check URLs, avoid random calls, never pay with gift cards, and monitor your accounts.

Pacific Heights Hardware, a local rival of Home Depot and one of the oldest hardware stores in San Francisco, has announced that it will permanently close down at the end of May.

In light of this, locals are now stuck with Home Depot. And like other big names in the industry, Home Depot is widely used by scammers, from phishing to fake online deals.

Scammers love to impersonate brands. That includes Home Depot.

Using Home Depot’s name, scammers send convincing texts and emails. They might say you have problems with your orders or accounts.

They can also claim that you can get a discount by taking a survey about your Home Depot experience. In the survey, you’ll be asked to provide your account login credentials and credit card information.

Here's an example:

Signs of a Home Depot Phishing:

• Slight changes in the email address. (e.g., homedep0t@mail.com instead of @homedepot.com)
• Use of urgent or threatening language (e.g., Act now to avoid further issues!)
• Grammar errors and weird formatting
• Sketchy links (e.g., http instead of https)

Everyone loves a good deal, like a major discount or freebies. The idea of saving money while getting extra value taps into our brain chemicals, making us happy, excited, or satisfied.

But sadly… Not all good deals are real, like the fake Home Depot online deals. Scammers create fake Home Depot websites to promote fake listings and bogus deals.

Stuart from ToolGuyd once encountered a fake Home Depot website. When he was searching for a toolbox model, Google showed lists for multiple options. Among the top listings is a 3-drawer toolbox box for $39.

That caught Stuart’s attention because it sounded a great deal. But when he clicked the listing, he was directed to a Home Depot site that looked different. Stuart frequently visits Home Depot every day, so he knew the one he was redirected to wasn’t real. What made it more fake is that other products are listed at an unusually cheap price.

Here are signs of bogus Home Depot online deals:

• Misspellings in the URL
• No HTTPS encryption
• Unrealistic cheap prices
• Unusual payment methods (e.g., wire transfer or Venmo)
• Unclear product descriptions

Gift cards are becoming the most preferred cash cow of scammers. It gives them anonymity, and once they drain it, it’s impossible to recover. In 2023, people lost over $200 million from gift card-related scams.

Among the gift card brands used are eBay, Google Play, Steam, Target, Amazon, and Home Depot.

Essentially, scammers will contact you, posing as customer service representatives, a government agency, or law enforcement. They’ll tell you there’s an issue that can be fixed by purchasing gift cards and then sending them photos of the number and the PIN.

Scammers also tamper with the gift cards themselves. They visit stores and steal gift cards. Then, they scan the barcodes and PINs. After that, they restock the tampered gift cards on the shelves. So, when you buy that gift card, they will quickly launder the money, leaving you with an empty card.

Here are red flags indicating a gift card scam:

• Pressure to pay via gift cards (no legitimate company or government agency requires payment in gift cards)
• Use of urgent language
• Damaged in gift card packaging
• Missing or exposed PIN cover
• A barcode placed above the original code

Another common Home Depot scam is fake phone calls.

Scammers pretend to be Home Depot’s customer service, warranty department, delivery team, or billing personnel. They’ll claim that there's an issue with your payment or delivery. They’ll ask for your personal information, including payment details.

When you give them your information, they’ll use it either to access your account or to use your identity for fraud.

Here are signs that you’re talking to a scammer:

• The call came out of the blue (especially if you didn’t order anything)
• The caller is pressuring you and is making threats
• Requests for sensitive information (like your credit card details)

Home Depot scammers are clever. But you’re wiser and can prepare for their attacks.

Here are safety steps you can take:

• Protection 1 - Double-Check URLs: Look for slight changes in spelling. Only at www.homedepot.com. If it’s hom3dep0t.com, then it’s fake.
  
• Protection 2 - Avoid Random Calls: If you didn’t order anything but you still received a call about delivery or billing issues, hang up immediately. Then, call back using only official numbers to verify the claim.
  
• Protection 3 - Never Pay With Gift Cards: Remember that real government agencies, law enforcement, and companies don’t require payment in gift cards.
  
• Protection 4 - Monitor Your Accounts: If you provided your information, make sure to keep tabs on your account (including Home Depot and bank accounts). Watch for unusual activity. If there is, alert Home Depot and your bank immediately.

Overall, the Home Depot scams that you should watch out for are: phishing, bogus online deals, gift card scams, and fake phone calls.

Yes, scammers are sneaky, but that doesn’t mean you should fall for their traps. You can still shop smart by knowing the red flags of Home Depot scams.

Stay proactive. As the saying goes, “Prepare and prevent, instead of repairing and repenting.” Stay in the know and prepare before you become a victim.

Was Home Depot breached before?

Yes, Home Depot was attacked by cyber criminals before, similar to Target’s network. The hackers accessed Home Depot’s systems using a third-party vendor’s username and password. This compromised employee data, like names, email addresses, and user IDs.

What company did Home Depot acquire?

In 2024, Home Depot acquired SRS Distribution, which sells pool, landscaping, and roofing supplies. This $18 billion deal signals growth for the company. In the first few months after the deal, Home Depot has seen a 6% increase in sales.

Where does Home Depot buy its products from?

Most of the products Home Depot sells are sourced in North America. However, Home Depot also works with thousands of factories and suppliers across the globe.