The ‘closing down sale’ scam: when bargains are too good to be true

Scammers use the urgency of a closing down sale, and people’s desire to grab a bargain, to post fake ads. Photograph: Lenscap/Alamy

After 40 years, an elderly couple have decided to retire and close their business. Or a clothes retailer says that it is with sadness he has decided to shut up shop and needs to get rid of his remaining stock.

But the “sadness” of a business closing also brings an opportunity to bag a bargain – perhaps a cut-price leather jacket, or 50% off the last merino wool sweaters in the warehouse.