Popular women’s fashion label Witchery targeted in online scam
A popular Australian women’s fashion label is the latest target of a scam circulating on social media conning customers out of hundreds of dollars.
Witchery has been targeted by “sophisticated scammers” who are posting fake links on Facebook and Instagram advertising clearance and sale websites for the brand.
The links advertise sales purporting to be Witchery such as “80 per cent off Witchery-flagship store closing clearance” but the retailer has notified customers these are scam websites.
“Increasingly sophisticated scammers continue to devise convincing retailer websites to dupe consumers into believing they’re purchasing goods online from legitimate businesses,” managing director Simon Schofield said in a statement.
“Witchery has no affiliation with these websites and are working closely with Instagram and Facebook to have these websites removed as a matter of urgency.”
Schofield added for any customers who have made purchases through the scam websites to contact their banks for help in getting the money returned.
“We apologise for this experience,” he said.
Witchery also urged customers to report the fraudulent websites to the social media site.
“Witchery’s official domains are witchery.com.au, witchery.co.nz and witchery.com. Any other domains purporting to be Witchery are fraudulent and should be reported to your social media provider,” Schofield said.
An Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) spokesperson said it has received 43 reports of fake Witchery sites over the past month.
Customers have lost a total of $7605.
“Most victims paid by credit card and have faced the additional inconvenience of cancelling their credit card,” the spokesperson said.
“Advertisements for these sites have been reported on social networking sites, as pop-up advertisements on mobile games, as advertisements while browsing the internet, and by email.
“We urge individuals to watch out for websites selling products at prices that seem too good to be true.”
ACCC has urged victims of the scam to contact their bank immediately.
