Warning over FAKE Pandora websites offering up to 70% off
SHOPPERS are being warned about fake websites conning people out of HUNDREDS of pounds after claiming to sell Pandora jewellery.
Victims of the scams have been sharing their experiences on Facebook and warning others to think twice before parting with their cash.
The Sun Online were alerted to the fake sites by dedicated to warning people about the Pandora specific scams.
This is where shoppers have been swapping stories about how they were conned out of their hard earned cash in exchange for counterfeit goods or worse, for goods that never showed up.
Some of the fake sites look almost identical to the and are offering up to 70 per cent off the normal retail price.
One of the most complained about websites is pandorasukonline.com which has now been taken down.
But not before conning one worried Facebook user out of more than £235 after she thought she was buying charms from a legitimate seller.
Even though she thought she was paying £235 for the jewellery she'd picked out, fraudsters used her payment details to steal even more money from her bank account.
Another user complained about how their wife paid for goods from one of the websites on Sunday November 5, and by the following Tuesday the website had vanished.
The isn't official but was set up two years ago by jewellery boutique owner Kim Farrington.
It is aimed at warning shoppers about the dangers of hunting for a bargain on Pandora products online.
She quickly became aware of how many sites there were out there selling fake Pandora goods and wanted to warn people to steer clear of them.
Fake Pandora websites
THESE are some of the online stores confirmed to be fake by the Pandora social media team.
The jewellery store's when they report suspicious websites. Here are some of the fake websites:
- www.pandoracenter.com
- www.pandorasestore.com
- www.pandorajewelrycollection.com
- www.pandoratok.com
- www.pandoraub.com
- www.pandora-charms.top
- www.pandoraads.com
- www.pandorasukstores.com
- www.pandoraoutlet.hu
- www.pandoraukoutlets.com
- www.pandoraukeonline.com
- www.pandoracharmsclearance.us
- www.pandoracenter.net
- www.pandoraop.com/
- www.outletpandorastore.net
- www.argenuks.com
- www.beadazle.com
- www.pdbtny.com
- www.nopandora.com
"I came across these fake Pandora sites on my lookout for good deals," she told the Sun Online. "That's when I realise there was a massive problem with scam sites.
"I set up the page to warn people as it's not easy to tell who is genuine.
"Some people have had their bank accounts cleaned out too when scammers get hold of their bank details."
Kim says that some people get onto the websites after seeing them advertised on Facebook and fall for the too good to be true deals.
According to Kim, one of the biggest telltale signs that a website is fake is on the "Contact Us" page.
If the only way to get in touch with the sellers is via a contact from then the website is often false.
"If there's no address or phone number then it's likely to be a scam," she warns.
What is the Pandora Scam Sites Facebook page and who set it up?
KIM Farrington, 56, set up the Pandora Scam Sites Facebook page to warn people about the dangers of trying to get a discount on Pandora jewellery.
She first became aware of how many fraudulent sites there are when she began selling Pandora charms on her own online boutique.
The Facebook page is for other shoppers to warn each other about the fake sites they've used.
Kim's been running the page by herself since she set it up two years ago.
Last year, Kim counted over 200 fake websites had been reported on her page and she reckons that reports aren't getting less.
She told the Sun Online: "There are more [reports] each year as the sellers find different ways to advertise.
"It's a massive problem and people who are short on cash think they are going to get great deals."
If you still doubt the authenticity of the seller, copy and paste the email address or phone number provided by the site into Google and search it.
The Sun Online found that the email address provided on one site - www.argosto.com - is registered to another website too - www.jewelryenterprises.com - also claiming to offer big discounts on Pandora charms.
This is a sign that the site may not be genuine.
The official Pandora Facebook page is also warning customers to be aware of the fake websites and advise anyone who finds one to report it to them at [email protected].
What shall I do if I've bought something from a fake website?
Here are some tips on what you can do if you think you've bought something from a fake website, according to Citizens Advice:
- If the goods arrive but you know they're fake, ask for a refund. You're entitled to be paid back the full amount up to 30 days after you bought it.
- If you paid for item over 30 days ago but less than six months, the seller can either provide you with a genuine version of the item or a full refund.
- If you paid for the item more than 6 months ago, you’re entitled to a part-refund depending on how much you’ve used the item and how long you’ve had it.
- For items that cost less than £100 paid for it on a credit card or debit card, call up your bank and say that you want to use the 'chargeback scheme' which will reverse the transaction.
- For things that cost more than £100 you'll need to contact your credit card company and say that you want to make a 'section 75' claim.
- If you paid with your debit card you should contact your bank immediately to discuss your options.
- Report the seller to .
You can also check for authorised online sellers in each country on the .
The Sun Online contacted Pandora and the other websites identified above for comment.
Consumers have been falling for fake online retailers for years now and the websites seem to be getting more sophisticated, making it harder to spot them.
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