Stay away from these dodgy online stores, they're scams! (by Wendy Knowler)

Amy MacIver interviews Wendy Knowler, a Consumer Journalist.

Listen below.

Picture a fraudster sitting at a computer, in some apartment, illicitly procuring images of authentic merchandise from a legitimate company's website.

Subsequently, they post these ill-gotten goods for sale at enticing prices, swiftly adding their banking details and a purported refund policy, then await unsuspecting buyers.

However, behind this façade lies no tangible merchandise, nor an authentic company; any provided physical address is merely a sham.

This is the cautionary tale Consumer Journalist Wendy Knowler urges online shoppers to envision until diligent verification can debunk such fraudulent schemes.

"You've got to assume that it's a complete scam."

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

Case 1: Shelf Your Shoes

One concerned consumer, Gerald, turned to Knowler seeking clarity regarding the legitimacy of an online platform, Shelf Your Shoes.

He recounted his experience of purchasing a pair of sneakers, only to be met with silence after repeated attempts to establish contact with the purported business.

Regrettably, Gerald never received his anticipated footwear.

Knowler identifies several warning signs in Gerald's case:

An unusual name coupled with spelling errors, exemplified by 'whishlist' instead of 'wishlist.'
The 'About Us' section is filled with a disjointed, poem-like text, seemingly copy-pasted and unrelated to the business
No physical address
No refunds
Heavily discounted shoes

"It's literally screaming 'this is fake'."

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

Case 2: Reliable Store

Despite its claim to offer top-notch products at unbeatable prices in South Africa, the ironically named Reliable Store has left a trail of dissatisfied customers out of pocket and empty-handed.

Among them is Ginger Nel, who parted with approximately R1700 in late April, intending to purchase a weather station barometer for her son.

Despite the promise of delivery within 14 days, the product remains undelivered.

To exacerbate matters, Nel discovered that the company's phone line has since been disconnected, further deepening her frustration.

Linda Garbin shares a similar tale of disappointment.

Having paid R750 for two wall lights, she received a mere plastic cover with a switch box, bearing no resemblance to the advertised product showcased on the website.

Furthermore, Busi Chaane's grievance adds to the growing list of complaints against Reliable Store.

After paying for a recorder, Chaane found herself among the customers who failed to receive their purchased items.

"Reliable Store – I've warned about this one several times, as has the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud."

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

Case 3: Froggie

Colleen Crookes reached out to Knowler on Wednesday, distressed after falling victim to a scam perpetrated under the guise of Froggie, a reputable shoe brand.

She ordered 13 pairs of shoes at astonishingly low prices, amounting to R1450, purportedly discounted from a total of R2443.

However, Crookes soon realised she had been duped by a fraudulent website posing as Froggie.

Knowler underscores the prevalence of such scams, noting that nearly all major shoe brands have been targeted by counterfeiters.

She urges consumers to exercise vigilance by meticulously scrutinising domain and email addresses.

In this instance, the email addresses noreply@notice.zhcartapps.com and serve@shungdayishop.com served as glaring red flags, alongside the suspiciously low prices.

Knowler advised Crookes to lodge a chargeback dispute via the bank which issued that card.

"You've just got to be observant; click on everything."

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.