Scam targets Wiltshire's Center Parcs resort
Investigation after fake Facebook page pretends to offer prizes
Last updated 11th Sep 2020
Wiltshire Trading Standards have been alerted after a Facebook page started offering holidays and prizes for Wiltshire's hugely popular Center Parcs resort near Warminster.
Officers began investigating after the fake social media page appeared yesterday (10 Sept 2020).
FAKE: SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
The scam was promising a 7 night holiday for 4 people, along with £500 spending cash, including all travel expenses.
Within just 3 hours of going live the page had attracted a staggering 18k shares, but it had absolutely no connection to the official @centerparcsuk
But none of it was true. There was no prize.
In a statement Center Parcs told us:
"Like a lot of well-known brands, our brand name has been used without permission by unauthorised Facebook pages on a number of occasions. We have been made aware of an unauthorised page on Facebook offering the chance to win a Center Parcs break and can confirm this is not genuine. We have reported this to Facebook."
"We would like to remind people not to enter their details or share the page. If ever in doubt about a post, please visit our official Facebook page to check if it is genuine."
It's not a new problem for Center Parcs. Their name has been used without permission by unauthorised pages on Facebook on a number of occasions.
WILTSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS
The team at Wiltshire Trading Standards have warned that scammers set up these pages to obtain your personal data or to collect likes (in this case the page is later sold/changed names by the scammers to fill your newsfeed with spam).
By 'signing up' you are giving the scammers your personal details.
Their advice is to spend a few minutes checking out pages before liking and sharing posts such as these:
- When was the page set up?
- How many posts are on the original page?
- Does the page have the blue tick to confirm the profile is the official page of the business it’s claiming to be?
AVOID CONFUSION WITH LONGLEAT
Bosses at the famous Longleat Estate and Safari Park have sought to reassure visitors and holidaymakers that the scam has NOT targeted their brand or business.
Center Parcs, which is affected, is simply based on the land forming part of the Longleat Estate.
A spokesperson for Longleat told us several people have already posted on the Longleat Facebook page and contacted the Safari Park with concerns.
Anyone with concerns should contact Center Parcs directly here via the Center Parcs website.
Or phone Centre Parcs on 03448 267723