If you have recently receive a text message, email, or social media DM offer a “special 19% OFF coupon” from Vane with the code vanebp19 and a link to https://www.vane.org.uk/, you are not alone and you should be on high alert. This message is a scam and click the link or enter your payment detail could put your personal and financial information at serious risk.
What Does the Scam Message Look Like?
The message typically reads something like this:
“A special 19% OFF coupon is waiting for you! Apply code vanebp19 at checkout before 1st March 2026 and save on shop https://www.vane.org.uk/“
It design to create a sense of urgency with the deadline and excitement with the discount two classic hallmarks of phishing and shopping scam.
Why This Is a Scam
This is the biggest and most obvious red flag. The entire message revolve around a “special 19% OFF coupon,” but when you actually try to apply the code vanebp19 at checkout, it simply doesn’t work.
Unsolicited Messages With “Too Good to Be True” Offers:
Legitimate retailers rarely send random discount code via text or unsolicited emails to people who aren’t already subscribe to their mailing lists. If you’ve never shopped at or signed up with a brand called “Vane” before, receiving a personalized coupon from them is a major warning sign.
Pressure Tactics and Artificial Urgency:
Scammers love deadlines. By tell you the offer expire on 1st March 2026, they are hoping you will act quickly without think critically. Legitimate business give you time to consider scammer don’t.
Suspicious or Unverified Website:
Before click any link in an unsolicited message, always research the website independently. Check for verified reviews, a legitimate business registration, a physical address, and a working customer service line. Many scam sites are designed to look professional at first glance but are merely fronts to harvest your credit card information and personal data.
Generic Coupon Codes:
Codes like vanebp19 look like they could be personalized, but they are often mass-distributed to thousands of potential victims. The goal is volume the more people who try the code and enter their payment detail, the more data the scammers collect.
What Happens If You Click the Link?
If you visit the site and attempt to make a purchase using the coupon code, several things could happen:
- Your payment details are stolen. The checkout page may look real, but your credit card number, CVV, and billing address go straight to the scammers.
- Your personal information is harvested. Name, email, phone number, and address can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web.
- You never receive any product. After “paying,” your order simply never arrives because there was never a real product to ship.
- Your device could be compromise. Some scam websites also attempt to install malware or tracking software on your device.
What Should You Do?
If you have receive this message, here how to protect yourself:
Don’t Click the Link: This is the most important step. Do not visit the website, do not enter any information, and do not attempt to use the coupon code.
Report the Message: Report the text or email as spam or phishing. On most phones, you can forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) in the UK and US. You can also report phishing emails to your email provider.
Warn Others: Share this information with friends and family, especially those who may be less familiar with online scams. Scammers often target older adults and less tech-savvy individuals.
If You Already Clicked or Made a Purchase
- Contact your bank immediately and report the transaction as fraudulent.
- Change your passwords for any accounts where you use the same email or password.
- Monitor your bank statements closely for any unauthorized charges.
- Run a security scan on your device using trusted antivirus software.
How to Spot Shopping Scams in the Future
To protect yourself going forward, keep these tips in mind:
- Verify the sender. Do you recognize the brand? Did you sign up for their communications?
- Research before you buy. Search for the website name along with words like “scam” or “review” before making any purchase.
- Look for HTTPS and trust signals. While HTTPS alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy, a lack of it is a definite red flag.
- Be skeptical of unsolicited offers. If a deal comes to you out of nowhere, approach it with caution.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
“Stay safe online. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost always is.“
