Warning over 'Argos' air fryer scam

A few days ago, news of an email scam by fraudsters impersonating Argos circulated in the media.

The recent Argos new air fryer scam has caused alarm and confusion among customers due to the deceptive nature of the offer. Reports indicate that thousands of people have received emails from what seemed to be an official Argos email address, offering a free Ninja Air Fryer if they complete an online survey and provide their card payment details.

Unfortunately, this is a scam as it does not actually originate from Argos and there is no free air fryer available for those who invest in this fraudulent offer. The perpetrators behind these scams are unfortunately often successful in luring unsuspecting customers into providing their personal financial information which can then be used for identity theft or other malicious activities.

How the 'Argos' Ninja Air Fryer scam work?

The Argos air fryer scam was a sophisticated operation that tricked customers into believing they were receiving a free Ninja Air Fryer.

Customers received emails claiming to be from Argos and offering the free item if they participated in an online survey and then entered their card payment details. The scam sent people to a page designed to look like an official Argos page, where they completed the survey and provided information such as their address, email address, and payment card details. However, what many customers did not realise is that this page was actually operated by scammers.

How did this Argos scam end up?

Customers who fell victim to the scam ended up paying for something that never existed – no one ever received the “free” air fryer. Furthermore, those affected by the scam had their personal and financial information exposed, potentially leaving them vulnerable to future fraud.

How do I know it's a scam?

When it comes to online purchases, it is important to be vigilant and research the product or supplier before making a purchase. This can help you avoid falling victim to scams such as the recent Argos air fryer scam. Scammers are taking advantage of consumer demand by offering free Ninja Air Fryers in exchange for completing an online survey and supplying card payment details.

To protect yourself from scams like this, familiarise yourself with red flags that may indicate a potential scam.

The key warning sign is to entice consumers with promises of “free” items without requiring any payment information, emails that contain grammar and spelling mistakes, requests for bank account numbers or National Insurance numbers, and offers that seem too good to be true. If something sounds suspicious, always check other sources to confirm its legitimacy before continuing.

If anyone informs you of a lottery win and asks you to share sensitive data, passwords or bank details, card numbers report it immediately!

In addition, be sure you are familiar with the company or website’s security measures and online payment methods. Researching their policies can help you understand what type of encryption technology they use to protect customer information and credit card numbers. If there is no indication that your data is protected, this could be a sign that the site is not legitimate.

It's also important to only shop online using secure websites and trusted vendors who have verified contact information, such as an address and phone number.

Never give out your personal information on unsecured sites or via email, as this could put you at risk for identity theft. Beware of phishing emails - very often scammers will use suspicious email address. To avoid becoming a victim always check sender's email address and never click on any links.

Finally, monitor all bank accounts regularly for any suspicious activity.

Where can I report fraud?

If you think you may have been a victim of fraud, be sure to report it to Action Fraud and your bank immediately.