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The season of sparkle and scams

Luxury goods at impossible prices, limited drops and resale "holds" are built to bypass judgement.

Campaign art: luxury shopping under festive sparkle

The scam

Fake boutiques and marketplace sellers advertise the season's sought-after pieces at a steep discount and ask for bank transfer, crypto or a "deposit to hold". The goods never arrive, or a counterfeit does, and the payment cannot be clawed back.

How to stay safe

  • Pay in ways you can reverse

    Use a credit card or a protected payment service. A seller who insists on transfer or crypto has told you what they are.

  • Buy from the maison or its authorised retailers

    Check the brand's own list of stockists and ignore pressure to decide in minutes.

Shop with confidence

BlackCloak protects your accounts and devices so you can shop safely. Speak to our team about concierge cybersecurity.