Fake Wilko websites have been causing trouble online for shoppers – with ‘heavily discounted’ prices on alleged products for sale.
The company fell into administration earlier this month.
Wilko is often seen by shoppers as a successor to much-loved Woolworths, which closed down in the UK in 2009 – offering a huge range of goods from homeware to toiletries and the ever-popular pick and mix.
There are more than 400 stores across the UK – with 12,500 employees between them – with the company is no longer selling items online.
Saddened shoppers are clearly still searching the internet for Wilko goods, so much so that some have fallen victim to scammers.
Pictures from the dodgy sites show furniture and other goods with enticing price tags.
The BBC reports that one fake site offered a sofa for just £25, and an electric bike for the same price.
PwC – the company’s administrator – has the job of trying to find a buyer for Wilko.
However, that search has been distracted by trying to close at least 10 fake websites.
A PwC spokesperson told the BBC: ‘We have been made aware of a number of fake Wilko websites which are offering Wilko products at heavily discounted prices.
‘These websites are not genuine and have been set up to scam users, the only legitimate Wilko website is http://www.wilko.com.
‘We are in the process of working with the relevant authorities to have these websites removed. We would like to remind our customers that all Wilko sales are now in-store and you are unable to purchase items online.’
Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at Which?, told the outlet: ‘Criminals are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and these dodgy websites offering heavily discounted Wilko goods are no exception.
‘If you are keen to get a bargain from Wilko, you can only buy in-store at the moment so anything online should be taken with a pinch of salt.’
If you or a loved one do fall victim to a scam then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/0x69OVX
0 Comments