Trading Standards Scam Warnings - Scam Ads On Search Engines

13th April 2023

Consumer body Which? has warned that scammers are buying adverts that appear at the top of Google search results when shoppers look up popular retailers, such as Next, TK Maxx and Zara.

Clicking on these adverts leads you to a 'rewards' website using the branding of the genuine retailer, where you will be asked to complete a series of tasks in order to win a voucher.

The aim of these websites is to gather consumers' personal and banking details.

Some people who have clicked on these websites have reported being called, emailed and texted and asked to provide further details in order to win a gift card or another prize.

How To Avoid

Which? advise that it is best to avoid clicking on adverts you see at the top of search results. Adverts on Google will always be labelled ‘ad' or ‘sponsored’. Scroll down to the search results below these adverts to visit the retailer’s genuine website.

The Get Safe Online Check a Website page is an easy-to-use online tool which helps you to determine whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam before you visit it.

Online scam adverts can be reported to the Advertising Standards Authority at www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint/report-an-online-scam-ad

Find out More

Original article: www.which.co.uk/news/article/scammers-are-buying-up-adverts-on-google-to-trick-next-tk-maxx-and-zara-customers
Advice on shopping online safely from the National Cyber Security Centre: www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/shopping-online-securely
Advice from Which?: www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-scam-website
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping