In the digital age, where online shopping has become as commonplace as a trip to the local supermarket, it's crucial to stay vigilant against the ever-increasing threat of scams.

Recently, an Australian online retailer, Peppermayo, found itself at the centre of a cautionary tale that serves as a stark reminder to all shoppers to be on high alert.



The incident came to light when a US high school student's complaint about a homecoming dress she never received went viral on social media.

The student had accused Peppermayo of being a 'scam' after her anticipated dress failed to arrive, sparking outrage and concern among the online community.

However, the situation took a twist when the brand stepped in to clarify the misunderstanding.


Peppermayo's representatives were quick to respond, saying, ‘She was scammed by an imitation, counterfeit website using our IP and logos to take money from unsuspecting and well-meaning shoppers.’

The fake site had used Peppermayo's intellectual property and logos to deceive customers, a tactic that has become an 'incredibly common problem', according to the brand.

‘We are currently working with a company to get these removed but they will keep popping up,’ the spokesperson for Peppermayo said.

The spokesperson highlighted subtle differences that could help distinguish the authentic site from the fraudulent one.

For instance, the scam website had an extra 'r' in its domain name, 'pepper mayo’, and provided a four-digit order number, whereas genuine Peppermayo order numbers begin with prefixes like 'PMAU’, 'PMUK’ or 'PMUS’.



In a gesture of goodwill, Peppermayo reached out to the teenager to ensure she would have a dress for her significant event, despite the unfortunate scam.

The brand also warned of other scams, such as fake public relations emails sent from Gmail accounts, which often end with a request for money.

These fraudulent activities are part of a broader issue that has seen Australians lose a staggering $2.74 billion to scams in 2023, with a notable 18.5 per cent increase in scam reports compared to the previous year.

‘Please, please do not fall for these scams from criminals who are trying to use our name to take advantage of you,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Unfortunately, there will always be criminals looking to scam and take advantage of unsuspecting victims.’



Investment scams, remote access scams, and romance scams top the list of most harmful deceptions, with impersonation scams, like the one involving Peppermayo, also causing significant damage.

These scams can range from business email compromise to someone pretending to be your bank or even the 'Hi mum' scams.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair, Catriona Lowe, has emphasised the sophistication of scammers' tactics.



‘Scammers are criminals, who use sophisticated tactics to convince their victims they are from their bank, a government agency or even a high-profile recruitment firm offering what may seem like an amazing job opportunity,’ she said.

‘That’s why we are urging consumers to take a minute and ask themselves if the person they are communicating with—whether it be online or by text, phone or email—is really who they say they are. Could it be a scammer?’

‘Scammers deliberately put their victims under pressure and make them feel like they need to act quickly, such as making claims there has been suspicious activity on their bank account. Don’t rush to act. Take a moment to consider if it could be a scam.’

You can watch Peppermayo’s video below:


We encourage our readers to share their experiences and tips on avoiding online scams in the comments below. By staying informed and supporting each other, we can create a safer online shopping environment for everyone, especially for our community of savvy seniors who deserve to shop with confidence and peace of mind