Scam Adverts For Advent Calendars

7th November 2024

Those looking for advent calendars online are being warned to be wary of social media adverts which lead to scam websites.
Several scam adverts have recently been reported, including ads on Facebook and Instagram offering a luxury advent calendar from cosmetics retailer Space NK worth £250 for only £28.99.

A lot of similar scams are likely to appear in the lead-up to Black Friday and the festive period.
How to Avoid

Be wary when clicking on social media adverts or unsolicited emails offering products from well-known brands, particularly if they are advertised at a price that is significantly cheaper than on official websites.
If you have clicked on a social media advert for a brand's online store, check the web address carefully.
Scam adverts often use addresses which look very similar to the genuine website - if in doubt, check the brand's official social media channels.

Look out for spelling or grammatical mistakes and poor-quality images - these could mean that a website is a scam.

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. https://www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/

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
Advice on shopping online safely from the National Cyber Security Centre: www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/shopping-online-securely
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping
Advice from Which?: www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-scam-website
Advice on your consumer rights from Advice Direct Scotland: www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre
Original article: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxvkkjd9vko