Here's something they don't tell you about building a brand:
If you create something original — something people actually want — someone will eventually try to steal it.
Not maybe.
Not someday.
Eventually.
We learned this lesson early.
And now we're sharing what we've learned so you don't get tricked.
What Copycats Do (And Why They Target Small Brands)
Fake tights websites and online shopping scams are more common than you think.
Here's how they operate:
❌ They steal product photos from real brands
❌ They use those photos to sell counterfeit goods or cheap imitations
❌ They often take your money and send nothing — or a random item like a sticker
❌ They disappear and reopen under a new name when caught
Why target small brands?
Big companies have lawyers on retainer. Small brands have a mission. Copycats know it's harder for us to fight back — so they steal from us instead of creating their own products.
Real Brands vs. Copycat Websites: How to Tell the Difference
We can't stop every thief on the internet.
But we can give you the tools to spot them.
✅ Buy from official websites only
Always check that you're on the real brand's official site. For us, that's melaninfleecetights.com. If you see our photos on Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart Marketplace, or a site with a random name like "CozyTightsDeals" — that's not us.
✅ Check for real branding and quality
Authentic products come with:
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Signature packaging
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Real shade names (like Chocolate, Caramel, Honey)
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Consistent quality you can trust
Copycats steal photos — not the full experience.
✅ If the price looks too good to be true, walk away
A "sale" that's 70% off the normal price? That's not a deal. That's a red flag for counterfeit goods.
✅ When in doubt, ask the real brand
DM us on Instagram. Email us. We'll tell you in seconds whether a site is legit. We'd rather answer 100 "is this website legit?" questions than see one more woman get scammed.
Red Flags of Fake Tights Websites
Here are warning signs that a website might be a copycat or scam:
| Red Flag | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Stolen photos | Images look professional but the rest of the site feels cheap or poorly written |
| No real reviews | Only 5-star reviews that sound generic or robotic |
| Suspicious prices | Drastically lower than the original brand's prices |
| Fake business address | Address leads to a residential home, empty lot, or appears on multiple scam sites |
| Poor grammar/spelling | Lots of typos, awkward phrasing, or missing "About Us" page |
| No social media presence | Real brands have active social accounts. Scams often don't. |
What to Do If You Spot a Copycat Website
If you see our product photos — or any real brand's photos — on a suspicious website:
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Don't buy from them.
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Screenshot the page (this preserves evidence).
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Send it to the real brand (DM or email).
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Report the ad or website to the platform (Instagram, Facebook, Google, etc.).
You're not just helping a small business.
You're helping protect other women from wasting their money on fakes.
A Note to Copycats (Whoever You Are)
We know you're still out there.
We know you're still lurking, still screenshotting, still hoping to cash in on work you didn't do.
So here's a reminder:
You can steal a picture.
You cannot steal why we started.
You cannot steal the years of listening to Black and Brown women.
You cannot steal the trust we've built.
And you certainly cannot steal this community.
Go make your own product. Create your own photos. Build your own reputation.
Or keep stealing. Either way — Melanin Fleece Tights is not going anywhere.
To Our Real Customers: Thank You
Thank you for asking questions.
Thank you for sending us suspicious links.
Thank you for knowing the difference between the real Melanin Fleece Tights and a cheap imitation.
You're the reason copycat websites will never win.
We built this for you. Not for them.
And as long as you're here, we'll keep fighting to protect what we've built — whether that's today, next month, or years from now.
With gratitude (and a little grit),
The Melanin Fleece Tights Team ❤️
Quick Tip: Bookmark Our Real Site
Save yourself the worry. Bookmark melaninfleecetights.com and only shop there.
And if you see our photos somewhere suspicious? Screenshot it and send it our way. You're not being annoying — you're being a lifesaver for another woman who might not know better.
