In recent weeks, scammers have been using social media ads, WhatsApp messages, and Telegram spam to trick unsuspecting social media users into participating in a supposed “Product Reviewer” job offer from PrettyLittleThing. However, there is no such job. This is a scam designed to get victims to complete bogus surveys, download unwanted apps, subscribe to services, and purchase products they don’t need.
This ingenious scam takes advantage of people looking to earn extra money and get free products. The promise of easy money and free stuff is used as bait to lure victims into shady websites and activities.
While PrettyLittleThing is a legitimate and popular online fashion retailer, they are not affiliated with this scam in any way. The scammers simply use the brand’s name and imagery to add legitimacy to their scheme.
This in-depth article will provide a detailed overview of how the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer scam works, what to watch out for, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
This Article Contains:
Overview of the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer Scam
The PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer scam typically starts with an ad on social media or a message on WhatsApp or Telegram.
The ad or message claims that PrettyLittleThing is looking for product reviewers and is offering a $750 reward just for applying. It promises that if you get selected, you’ll receive free products to review and keep.
The message looks legitimate at first glance, often using PrettyLittleThing’s logo and real product photos. This adds credibility to the scam, tricking victims into believing it is a real opportunity.
If you click the link or button in the ad/message, you are taken to a website that looks like a PrettyLittleThing page but is not affiliated with them. Here you are prompted to enter your email and contact information to “apply” for the reviewer position.
After entering your info, you are redirected to another site and told you need to complete some “required tasks” before you can get the reward and job. These tasks involve:
- Taking paid surveys
- Downloading and installing mobile apps
- Signing up for subscription services
- Purchasing products
- Providing personal information
- Referring friends
The more tasks you complete, the more money you can supposedly earn. However, this is a lie designed to get you to complete as many bogus offers as possible.
In reality, there is no Product Reviewer job or reward payment. The scammers make money from the surveys, subscriptions, app installs, and purchases you make.
Meanwhile, you end up spending money on things you don’t want or need. You also risk compromising personal information and downloading malware onto your device.
Once the scammers have extracted all the money they can from victims, they disappear. You never hear back about the supposed job, receive any products to review, or get your promised reward.
How the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer Scam Works
Now let’s break down exactly how this scam works at each step of the process:
Step 1: You See a Social Media Ad or Message
The first contact with this scam often comes via a social media ad or unsolicited message on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
The ad or message claims PrettyLittleThing is hiring product reviewers and providing a $750 reward just for applying.
It uses enticing language like “Apply now to get paid for reviewing our products!” or “Earn up to $750 in rewards and free clothes from PrettyLittleThing!”
The message looks credible since it uses the PrettyLittleThing name and logo. Product photos add further legitimacy. This convinces people it’s a real opportunity.
Step 2: Clicking the Link Takes You to a Fake Website
If you click the link or button in the ad or message, you are taken to a website designed to look like the official PrettyLittleThing site.
However, upon closer inspection you’ll notice the URL is slightly different. For example, instead of prettylittlething.com, it may be prettylittlething-offer.com.
The scam site uses the same colors, fonts, and product imagery as the real site to appear authentic. You are unlikely to notice it’s fake at first glance.
On the site, language reiterates that PrettyLittleThing is looking for product testers and you can get paid just for applying. You’re prompted to enter your email address and contact information to “apply” for the job.
Step 3: You Are Redirected to Complete “Tasks”
After entering your email and information, you are redirected to a third-party website. This site claims you need to complete some “required tasks” before you can be considered for the job and receive the $750 reward.
These tasks involve things like:
- Taking paid surveys
- Downloading and installing certain mobile apps
- Signing up for trial subscriptions
- Making purchases
- Filling out credit card offers
- Referring friends
The site claims the more tasks you complete, the more rewards you can earn, up to the promised $750.
To convince you to complete as many tasks as possible, the site shows a leaderboard displaying how much other “applicants” have supposedly earned. These are fabricated to make the offer seem legitimate.
Step 4: Scammers Make Money, You Get Nothing
The truth is that these tasks are designed solely to make money for the scammers, while costing you time and money.
The scammers receive affiliate commissions and payments for getting you to complete the surveys, downloads, subscriptions, and purchases.
However, there is no Product Reviewer job, no $750 payment, and no free PrettyLittleThing products. You’ll never hear back about the supposed application.
Meanwhile, you may have paid for unwanted services, apps, or products. You may also have downloaded malware onto your device or given up personal information.
The scammers disappear with their profits, leaving you out of pocket and with nothing to show for it. Their only goal was to exploit you for money.
What to Do if You Fell Victim to the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer Scam
If you completed any of the scam offers, surveys, subscriptions, or purchases, here are some important steps to take right away:
Cancel Any Subscriptions or Trials
If you signed up for any free trials or ongoing subscriptions, cancel these immediately. This will stop you being charged when the trial ends.
Check your account settings or contact the company to cancel. Be aware that some shady sites make it very difficult to find the cancellation options – but keep trying.
Call Your Bank About Any Purchases
If you entered any credit card information and see charges you didn’t authorize, contact your bank right away.
Report these as fraudulent charges. Your bank may be able to stop or reverse the payments, or at least deactivate your card.
Scan Your Device for Malware
If you downloaded any apps or files, scan your computer or phone for malware. Delete anything suspicious.
Malware can spy on you, steal personal data, or even lock your device until you pay a ransom. So it’s vital to remove it.
Change Any Compromised Passwords
If you entered sensitive information like passwords or credit cards, change these credentials immediately.
The scammers may attempt to access your online accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for every account to secure them.
Beware of Follow-Up Scams
Scammers will often follow up a successful scam with a secondary scam. For example, they may pose as “PrettyLittleThing support” and claim they can recover your lost money or reward for an advance fee.
Any follow up contact is almost certainly another scam attempt. Cease all communication and don’t send them any money or information.
Report the Scam Activity
To help authorities shut down the scam operation, report details to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
You can also file complaints with the SEC, IC3, BBB, and social media platforms where you saw the ads.
Reporting helps protect others from falling for the scam too. The more reports filed, the quicker these sites can be taken down.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer Scam
1. What is the PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam?
The PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers pretend to offer jobs testing and reviewing products for the fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing. They use social media ads and messages to lure victims to shady websites and get them to complete bogus “tasks” that actually just make money for the scammers. There is no job, no payment, and no free products.
2. How does the PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam work?
The scammers post ads or send messages on platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, promising rewards or a job opportunity to review PrettyLittleThing products. When victims click on links, they are taken to fake websites asking for personal information to “apply” for the job. They are then redirected to complete paid surveys, install apps, sign up for subscriptions, make purchases, and more. The scammers earn commissions while the victims spend money on things they don’t want or need.
3. What are some red flags of the PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam?
Red flags include unsolicited messages about rewards or jobs from PrettyLittleThing, claims you can earn money just for applying, links to suspicious websites, pressure to complete tasks, offers that seem too good to be true, and requests for sensitive personal information.
4. What happens if I fall victim to the PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam?
If you provided any personal or financial information, you should cancel any subscriptions or trials, call your bank about unauthorized charges, scan devices for malware, change compromised passwords, beware of follow-up scams, and report all scam activities to the FTC and other authorities.
5. How can I avoid the PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam?
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages, manually type out brand URLs, don’t provide your information easily, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, only download apps from official stores, monitor your statements for unauthorized charges, and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
6. What should I do if I see a PrettyLittleThing product reviewer scam message or ad?
Do not click any links, provide information, or complete any tasks. Report the scam ad or message to the social media platform and warn your friends and followers about it. You can also report it to the FTC to help get the scam websites shut down.
7. Can PrettyLittleThing do anything about scammers using their name?
PrettyLittleThing is likely unaware of the scam and is also a victim in this situation. You can contact them to report the scam so they can potentially take legal action against the scammers misusing their brand. But the scam sites themselves are not affiliated with PrettyLittleThing.
8. Where can I learn more about identifying and avoiding online scams?
You can visit websites like the FTC, BBB, and AARP Fraud Watch Network to learn more about current scam tactics and how to recognize the warning signs. Being an informed consumer is key to protecting yourself online.
The Bottom Line: Avoid the PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer Scam
The PrettyLittleThing Product Reviewer scam relies on enticing promises of easy money and free stuff to take advantage of social media users.
But there is no job, no payment, and no free products. It’s simply a front to get you spending on unwanted things that profit the scammers only.
Remember these warning signs of the PrettyLittleThing reviewer scam:
- Messages and ads promising rewards or a job from PrettyLittleThing
- Claims that you can earn money just for applying or signing up
- Links taking you to shady websites unaffiliated with the real brand
- Requests to complete paid surveys, downloads, subscriptions, or purchases
- Pressure to complete more and more “tasks” to increase your supposed earnings
The best way to avoid this scam is to ignore any suspicious messages, no matter how legitimate they look. Do not click links, provide personal information, or complete any “tasks.”
Protect yourself with these tips:
- Be wary of unsolicited job offers requiring upfront payments or purchases. Legitimate companies won’t ask you to spend or pay money to start working.
- Research any job listings and companies separately from the ad. Search online for reviews and complaints to uncover scams.
- Avoid clicking links in random messages. Manually type out brand web addresses instead.
- Don’t give out your personal or financial information easily. Verify any offers are from legitimate brands first.
- Use strong passwords unique to each account, and enable two-factor authentication where possible. This prevents scammers accessing your accounts if credentials are compromised.
- Install antivirus software to detect and remove malware from your devices. Only download apps from official app stores like Google Play and the App Store.
- Monitor account statements routinely to identify any unauthorized charges. Report these immediately to prevent further losses.
- Be skeptical of great sounding opportunities that seem too good to be true. When in doubt, trust your instincts – if it seems suspicious, it probably is.
By being cautious and avoiding potential scams, you can steer clear of traps like the PrettyLittleThing Reviewer scam. Don’t let the promise of easy money cloud your judgment. Protect yourself and your finances by recognizing their deceitful tactics.
With awareness and caution, we can help prevent these scams from claiming more innocent victims. Share information about this scam with family and friends to improve awareness. Reporting scam messages and sites can also get them shut down faster.
Working together, we can disrupt these criminal operations so that scammers have a much harder time exploiting honest people looking to earn extra income. The sooner their scam tactics are exposed, the quicker we can put an end to these fraudulent schemes for good.
