Shoppers warned over advent calendar scams

The scams are becoming more common

In recent years, advent calendars have evolved beyond just offering a picture or a little chocolate behind each door. Now they offer everything from beauty products to luxury food and drink items and jewellery.

The consumer group Which? Is urging customers to be careful of fraudsters offering deals that appear too good to be true ahead of the Black Friday sales.

The warning comes after cosmetics retailer Space NK urged its customers not to be fooled by fake adverts on social media, claiming to sell its £250 advent calendar for just £28.99.

Space NK’s Jini Sanassy said: “We are aware that fraudulent imitations of our website are circulating on social media platforms.”

Sanassy said customers had been targeted on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, with ads showing big discounts on items including its advent calendar, which has already sold out.

She said: “The issue has been immediately reported to Meta and our legal team are working to shut these websites down.”

Which? consumer law expert, Lisa Webb said that as the calendars had become more luxurious, there were likely to be more criminals targeting consumers who were interested in the, often, expensive products.

Webb said: “Since these products can be expensive, many people will be looking for discounted and cheaper options, but it’s important to be wary of scammers trying to take advantage in the run-up to Black Friday and Christmas.”

Last year, scam adverts claimed to offer the £350 advent calendar from perfume and beauty brand Jo Malone for just £30.

Webb advised people to check the URL of the website carefully before making a purchase and said: "If the deal seems too good to be true, often it is."