Bogus Electrical Goods
Fraudsters have set up a high specification website template advertising various
electrical goods and domestic appliances. These goods are below market value and
do not exist. The fraudsters will request your card details via the website;
however the purchaser will then receive an email stating the payment failed and
they must pay via bank transfer.
The fraudsters entice the purchaser and reassure them it is a legitimate purchase
by using the widely recognised Trusted Shop Trustmark. The fraudsters are using
the Trustmark fraudulently and have not been certified by Trusted Shops and therefore
the purchaser is not covered by the Trusted Shop money-back guarantee.
Protect yourself:
- Check the authenticity of the websites before making any purchases. Conduct a
"whois" search on the website which will identify when the website has
been created, be wary of newly formed domains. You can conduct this search using
the following website - Who is website link.
- Carry out online research in relation to the website, company name and the
business address provided to identify any poor feedback or possible irregularities.
- Check the Trusted Shops Facebook page where warnings about websites using their
Trustmark are published. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a Trustmark then
you can contact Trusted Shops on 0203 364 5906 or by email: Email Trusted Shops.
They will confirm whether they have certified that website.
- Payments made via bank transfer are not protected should you not received the item.
Therefore always try to make the payment via PayPal or a credit card where you have
some payment cover should you not receive your product.
If the item advertised seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online
Action Fraud website.
or by phone:0300 123 2040
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