SpaceNKShoppers looking for good deals on luxury advent calendars are being warned to beware of online scams.
Advent calendars are no longer just about offering a picture or a bit of chocolate behind every door. Now, they offer everything from beauty products to luxury food and drink to jewelry.
Which consumer group is it? People are being urged to be wary of fraudsters offering deals that seem too good to be true ahead of Black Friday sales.
Meanwhile, cosmetics retailer Space NK is urging its customers not to be fooled by false advertising on social media, claiming its £250 Advent calendar is only £28.99.
“We are aware that fraudulent imitations of our website are circulating on social media platforms,” said Space NK’s Jini Sanassy.
She said customers on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram had been targeted with ads showing heavily discounted items, including an Advent calendar which was actually sold out.
“This issue was immediately reported to Meta and our legal team is working to shut down the sites.”
The BBC has contacted Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, for comment.
“If it’s too good to be true…”
Lisa Weber, which one? As Advent calendars become more extravagant, more criminals may target consumers who buy them, consumer law experts say.
“As these products can be expensive, many people will look for discounts and cheaper options, but it’s important to be wary of scammers trying to take advantage on Black Friday and Christmas Eve,” she said.
Black Friday is a holiday sales event that traditionally takes place on the fourth Friday in November (the day after Thanksgiving in the United States).
However, over time, it has been extended to a week, and now retailers regularly run Black Friday sales throughout November.
Last year, a scam ad claimed to be offering a £350 Advent calendar from perfume and beauty brand Jo Malone Only £30.
Ms Weber advised customers to double-check the URL of any website and ask why something might be priced so low. “If the deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.”
She added that any suspicious websites could be reported directly to the police National Cyber Security Center.
How to avoid being scammed online
- Be wary of products being sold at too high a price to be true.
- Beware of fake websites that look like real retailer websites. Check whether the URL is an official brand URL.
- Keep an eye out for posts from newly created social media accounts or links from recently created websites. You can use a domain checker such as who is Check when the website was created.
- Read reviews and buy only from authorized sellers and websites.
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