NK Space
Space NK said it only sells through its own website – and its Advent calendar is currently sold out online
Shoppers looking for a bargain on a luxury Advent calendar are being warned to be wary of online scams.
Advent calendars have evolved beyond simply offering a picture or a bit of chocolate behind each door. Now they offer everything from beauty products to luxury food and drinks to jewelry.
The consumer group Which? is urging people to be wary of scammers offering deals that seem too good to be true ahead of Black Friday sales.
It comes as cosmetics retailer Space NK urged its customers not to be fooled by fake adverts on social media, claiming to be selling its £250 advent calendar for just £28.99.
“We are aware that fraudulent imitations of our website are circulating on social media platforms,” said Jini Sanassy of Space NK.
She said customers had been targeted on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, with adverts showing deep discounts on items including its Advent calendar, which is actually sold out.
“The issue was immediately reported to Meta and our legal team is working to shut down these websites.”
The BBC has contacted Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, for comment.
“If it's too good to be true…”
Lisa Webb, which one? consumer law expert, said that as Advent calendars have become more luxurious, there will likely be more criminals targeting consumers who buy them.
“As these products can be expensive, many people will be looking for discounted and cheaper options, but it is important to be wary of scammers trying to take advantage of them in the run-up to Black Friday and Christmas,” a- she declared.
Black Friday is a holiday sale that traditionally takes place on the fourth Friday in November, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.
However, over time this expanded to the entire week, and now retailers often hold Black Friday sales throughout the month of November.
Last year, scam adverts claimed to offer perfume and beauty brand Jo Malone's £350 Advent calendar for just £30.
Ms Webb advised customers to carefully check the URL of any website and ask themselves why something might be priced so low. “If the deal seems too good to be true, it often is.”
She added that any suspicious sites can be reported directly to the National Cyber Security Center.
How to avoid getting scammed online
Be wary of products sold at prices that are too good to be true. Be wary of fake websites, which look like a real retailer's website. Verify that the URL is that of the official brand. Pay attention to posts from a newly created social media account or links to a recently created website. You can use a domain checker like who.is to check when a website was created. Read reviews and buy only from authorized sellers and websites.
Source: Which one?
