With over 20 years’ experience in many aspects of law and litigation

01920 481 499

Contact Us

Widbury Barn, Widbury Hill, Ware

Hertfordshire SG12 7QE

Beware of Fake Shopping Ads on Google: A Growing Consumer Scam

 

In recent years, the prevalence of online shopping has led to a corresponding rise in internet scams. One particularly concerning trend is the use of fake shopping advertisements on Google, which exploit consumers’ trust in legitimate platforms to defraud them of money and personal information.

 

What Are Fake Shopping Ads?

Fake shopping ads are deceptive online advertisements that appear prominently in Google’s search results, often indistinguishable at first glance from legitimate retailers. These ads typically lead to fraudulent websites that mimic genuine e-commerce platforms or high-street brands. Unsuspecting consumers are enticed by low prices or hard-to-find items, only to discover that the goods never arrive—or worse, that their financial details have been compromised.

 

How Do These Scams Work?

  1. Impersonation of Brands: Fraudsters design websites and logos that closely resemble reputable retailers, even using similar domain names to trick users.
  2. Manipulated Google Ads: Through paid advertising on Google Shopping or Search, scammers ensure their fake listings appear at the top of results.
  3. Payment and Data Theft: Victims make payments through fake checkout pages, sometimes even receiving fake confirmation emails. The payment is taken, but the goods never materialise.
  4. Lack of Recourse: These sites often disappear within days, leaving no customer service channels and making recovery of funds difficult.

 

Why Is This a Problem?

Consumers naturally place a degree of trust in Google as a gatekeeper of information and commerce. The presence of fraudulent ads on such a platform may create a false sense of security, leading people to engage in transactions they might otherwise avoid.

Moreover, Google’s automated ad approval systems, while effective in many cases, are not infallible. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, allowing them to slip through the cracks.

 

How to Protect Yourself

  • Check the URL carefully: Look for misspellings, extra words, or unfamiliar domain suffixes (e.g., “.shop” instead of “.co.uk”).
  • Verify the retailer: If in doubt, search for the company independently and look for reviews or official contact details.
  • Use secure payment methods: Pay with a credit card where possible, as this may offer protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • Be cautious of deep discounts: If an offer looks too good to be true, it often is.

 

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed

If you believe you have fallen victim to a fake shopping ad:

  1. Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the transaction.
  2. Report the scam to Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk.
  3. Notify Google by clicking the three-dot icon next to the ad and selecting “Report Ad”.
  4. Preserve evidence, including screenshots and correspondence.

In some cases, victims may be able to pursue a refund or compensation depending on how the transaction was made and the circumstances involved.

 

Legal Perspective

Under UK consumer law, particularly the Consumer Rights Act 2015, consumers are entitled to goods that are as described and of satisfactory quality. However, enforcement becomes difficult when dealing with fraudulent entities operating outside the jurisdiction or with false identities.

As a firm specialising in consumer rights and contract disputes, we advise consumers to remain vigilant and to seek legal advice if they believe they have been misled or defrauded through online transactions.

Should you require assistance or wish to discuss a potential claim, please contact our office for a confidential consultation.

 

Sarah Waddington Solicitors: Legal Specialists

At Sarah Waddington Solicitors, our team of expert solicitors is dedicated to guiding you through the complexities of receiving and responding to legal letters. We are highly experienced in the law and protecting your rights.

By taking proactive steps now, you can position yourself to better protect yourself and take advantage of positive industry developments.

Your satisfaction and success in dispute resolution are our highest priorities. At Sarah Waddington Solicitors, we remain committed to delivering professional, reliable, and effective legal services.

To arrange a consultation or discuss your situation further, please contact us via our Online Chat, email us at info@sarahwaddingtons.com, or call us on 01924 601096. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in achieving a fair resolution and compensation.

 

YouTube

Did you know Sarah Waddington Solicitors has its own YouTube channel? You can find more Timeshare related videos on our YouTube channel 

Request Call Back

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Widbury Barns, Widbury Hill, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 7QE