Scammers target Zip World promotion

ZIP World has thanked its supporters after they helped deactivate a fake Facebook profile.

The page claimed to be the North Wales-based business but was actually run by scammers.

They tried to exploit a genuine competition run by Zip World to win tickets to Ffear Fforest at Zip World Fforest in Betws y Coed, the “ultimate Halloween experience.”

The promotion was running on the business’ Facebook page and should have ended on Monday.

Followers were asked to like the page, share a post and tag their friends in order to enter it.

But fraudsters set up a fake page hoping for sensitive information from entrants, asking for credit card details, for example, for entry.

Zip World was made aware of the page by a concerned customer on Saturday. It pulled the competition and encouraged followers to report the fake page. This led to Facebook deactivating the fraudulent profile.

The legitimate Zip World attraction warned its customers: “Please rest assured we would never ask for personal details from our followers, and if you’ve received a Facebook friend request or message from a Zip World account, please do not respond.”

A spokesperson for Zip World said the scammers had been “consistently sending phishing messages.” Some asked for credit card details – it’s understood no one has been affected.

Zip World wants to thank its “loyal followers” who were a “massive help” in reporting it.

The Ffear Fforest competition is set to resume shortly: those who had already entered will not lose their previous entry.