jo malone advent calendar scam: 2023 complaints

Avoid Getting Scammed this Holiday Season – Beware of the Jo Malone Advent Calendar Scam

The holiday season is upon us once again, which also means the return of tempting marketing schemes and online scams. In recent years, one scam that has preyed on the desires of beauty and fragrance fans has been fake ads for the coveted Jo Malone London Advent Calendar. Packed with 12 days’ worth of miniature colognes, candles and beauty treats, the official Advent Calendar retails for hundreds of dollars. However, scam artists have been duping customers into believing they can snap one up at a steep discount. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at how this scam works, as well as provide tips to help you stay safe from fraudsters this Christmas.

The Ruse: Fake Discounts Too Good to be True

One of the telltale signs of the Jo Malone Advent Calendar scam is the outrageously low prices being offered. Whereas the official Advent Calendar from Jo Malone London retails for around $495 or £350, scam ads will claim they have limited stock available for just $36 to $45 total. Discounts of over 90% off the usual price should immediately ring alarm bells. Legitimate retailers simply do not offer luxury items at such steep markdowns, especially for a highly sought-after seasonal product.

These scam ads are typically spread via social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram using enticing graphics. With a few quick shares, they’re able to potentially reach thousands of eyes. Time-limited deals and limited quantities put pressure on users to act fast before “stock runs out”. Once someone purchases, the scammers disappear without delivering the product.

How the Scams Operate: Red Flags to Watch For

Now that we understand the beginnings of the deceit, let’s explore some of the major red flags to watch out for with any seemingly “too good to be true” Jo Malone Advent Calendar deals:

Newly Registered Websites: Legit retailers don’t use domains created within the past year to conduct business. Check the WHOIS records.

Missing Contact Info: No address, phone number or live customer support listed is a red flag.

No Secure Payment Options: Only accepting payments through sketchy methods like Western Union or cryptocurrency versus secure platforms.

No Shipping/Returns Policy: No information given about shipping costs, delivery timeframes or return/exchange options.

False Reviews: Be wary of any reviews that all sound fake, use stock photos or have the same writing style.

Copying Brand Assets: The website copies real product images, descriptions or brand copy directly from Jo Malone instead of using their own content.

Grammar/Spelling Errors: Minor mistakes in website text could indicate it was quickly thrown together by scammers with no attention to quality.

Doing your research and paying attention to such warning signs could help you avoid getting ripped off this holiday season. Let’s explore some additional preventative measures.

Protect Yourself: Steps to Take Before Making Any Purchase

When it comes to online shopping, being proactive about verifying website legitimacy is key to avoiding financial loss or identity theft. Here are some recommended steps to take for any deal seeming “too good to be true”:

Search for Reviews: Look up the website or company name combined with “scam”, “review” or “complaint” to see others’ experiences. Always vet what seems suspicious.

Check Domain Registration: Use WhoIs to check when the domain was registered. Newly created domains warrant further inspection versus established retailers.

Inspect for SSL Certificate: Legitimate retailers will use HTTPS connections and the green padlock to encrypt financial transactions.

Research the Business: Search for contact details, business registration or physical address listed on the “About” or “Contact” pages via an online search.

Use Official Retailer Sites: Bookmark authentic shopping portals for your favorite brands to ensure you’re sourcing products officially.

Choose Secure Payment Methods: Stick with PayPal, credit cards or banking apps that offer purchase protection over wiring funds or using prepaid cards.

Know Your Consumer Rights: Understand return/exchange policies and dispute resolution options through your bank or local consumer protection agency.

Being proactive instead of reactive goes a long way when it comes to avoiding scams this holiday season. Now let’s examine what actions to take if you do unfortunately become a victim.

What To Do If You Fall For a Scam

Despite best efforts, online fraud can still sometimes slip through the cracks. If you realize you’ve been scammed after making a purchase, here are the steps you should take immediately:

Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company: Report the unauthorized transaction right away and file a dispute claim through the bank to potentially recover losses.

Report to the FTC: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission to have your incident added to consumer protection investigations in the US.

Inform Local Agencies: Contact consumer watchdogs, law enforcement and better business bureaus in your state or country.

Change Passwords: Update account login credentials for any site where the same username/password was used on the scam site.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security for important online accounts.

Alert Friends & Family: Warn others about the scamming website so they don’t become victims too.

Monitor Credit Reports: Check for any signs of identity theft and place a freeze if needed.

Taking prompt action after discovering fraud is key to minimize potential damage. Speaking up also helps authorities track and shut down scammers’ operations over time.

Conclusion

As online shopping for holidays grows increasingly popular, so too do the tactics of malicious actors looking to capitalize. While excitement for favorite brands and steals may motivate us, pausing to verify a site’s authenticity using the strategies discussed takes only a moment but could save countless headaches down the line. This holiday season, approach any deals sounding too good to be true with healthy skepticism and prioritize shopping at trusted, established retailers. Staying informed is the best defense against scams – so avoid getting scammed and enjoy spending wisely!