Shoppers are being warned about a fraudulent website that impersonates Aldi, with at least one customer already losing money. The scam site, which uses Aldi's logo and branding to appear legitimate, has been flagged in the latest Which? scam watch list.
According to Which?, the fake site was created in March and is likely linked to deceptive adverts posted across websites and social media. A 16-year-old victim was scammed out of money when he believed he was buying a gift for his sister.
How the scam works
Fake websites like this use familiar branding to convince shoppers they are dealing with a genuine retailer. Pages often feature familiar logos, product images, and layouts similar to those of real websites.
One X user posted a screenshot of a fake website impersonating Aldi, showing a listing for a dishwasher priced at £28.37. Aldi replied to the post, reminding the customer that it does not offer any online services.
Other fake listings and warning signs
Another screenshot obtained by Which? shows other fake product listings, including a coffee table for £38.75 and a glass soap bottle set for £16.16. Shoppers are advised to act with caution if an offer seems too good to be true.
The government's Stop! Think Fraud campaign lists ways people can spot fake websites, including bargain prices on high-value items or incredible returns on investments, especially if they use language designed to rush you. Scam websites may also ask for payment by bank transfer instead of credit card, debit card, or a trusted third-party payment provider.
Additional warning signs include a domain name that does not look right, no padlock symbol or 'https' in the URL, and very little company information on the 'About us' or 'Contact us' pages. Other red flags are the absence of a returns policy, privacy policy, or terms and conditions, along with poor quality photography, graphics, or page layout, and spelling or grammar mistakes.
Scam websites like this can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.
