The offer of a free Ninja air fryer, which can cost up to £250, is being used to lure shoppers into handing over their bank details after completing a survey.

Branded with an Argos logo, the email reads: ‘Congratulations! We would like to offer you a unique opportunity to receive a brand new Ninja Air Fryer. To claim, simply take this short survey about your experience with us.”

The email has a timer that counts down to when the offer expires, creating a sense of urgency.

Once you have completed the survey, the scam asks you to enter your payment details to claim your reward.

This type of scam is known as phishing. Emails, text messages or phone calls are set up to appear as if they are being sent or made by well-known companies. The scams are designed to trick you into clicking links or filling in forms so they can harvest your personal and financial information.

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime organisation, reported it had received a rise in complaints about phishing scams during the cost-of-living crisis.

Common among the complaints were reports of supermarket brands being used in fake adverts on social media promoting competitions or giveaways. Shoppers are encouraged to register using a link which in reality takes you to a third-party website designed to steal your information.

An Argos spokesperson said: “We are aware of this phishing scam and are working hard to take these sites down. These emails are not from Argos, we advise customers to delete and report them to us. We work hard to protect our customers and encourage them to be mindful of this type of scam, which often use household brand names.”

Customers can report scams to us using the email address scams@sainsburys.co.uk. More information can be found here: Help & FAQs – How do I report a scam? (argos.co.uk)

Tips for spotting an email scam

If you are unsure about whether or not the email or message is a scam, consider whether the offer sounds too good to be true. If an expensive item is being given away for free, chances are it’s a fake offer.

Check the email address to see if it is the official company name or just a version of it. You can visit the companies website, through a different browser, to check the email format.

Ask yourself if you are being urged to pass on your information urgently. This is a common tactic used by scammers to convince you to act quickly without thinking.

Are you being contacted by someone you don’t know, unexpectedly? Ignore any unsolicited emails from companies you don’t know.

For more help spotting scams, visit Citizens Advice and use their online tool to help consumers avoid becoming victims of fraud.