'Scammers often take advantage when temperatures rise' industry experts explain how to spot fake air conditioner storefronts before you lose your money this summer

Date:
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:56:26 +0000

Description:
Portable air conditioners are out of stock almost everywhere, and crooks are taking advantage by setting up fake storefronts to trick you out of your money.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Portable air conditioners have sold out virtually everywhere this summer, so if you find a website
purporting to have units in stock, don't rush to hand over your credit card details. If it seems too good to be true, it might very well be.

Big retailers like Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Screwfix have all sold out, which can lead you to consider other online stores you've never used before but be careful. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of those desperate
to cool their homes by setting up false website fronts to take payments, with no intention of ever delivering a product. You might come across these sites via search, AI, video sites, or social media. The prices of these air conditioners are often inflated too, as the scammers know that people will be willing to pay over the odds when the temperature soars. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Meaco is one company that has found online stores claiming to have its air conditioners in stock at higher than usual prices, and which appear to take customers' money without supplying the products.

We spoke to two of Meaco's top personnel, Founder and Managing Director Chris Michael, and Brand Director Siobhan Michael, to find out what you should look out for when buying an air conditioner online. You may like ASA issues
warning over misleading portable air cooler adverts Get more from your air conditioner and fan 9 top tips from the experts 9 portable air conditioners that are still in stock after this weekend's sweat-fest Scammers often take advantage when temperatures rise, demand for air conditioners increases, and trusted retailers sell out," says Chris Michael. "Consumers can protect themselves by checking the seller as carefully as the product. An unfamiliar website offering stock that is unavailable everywhere else should prompt further checks before making a purchase.

Don't take apparent recommendations from reputable review sites at face
value, either. Here at TechRadar, we've seen our logo displayed on the websites of companies we've never even spoken to, and some have displayed badges from the TechRadar Choice Awards, despite never having won. We send cease-and-desist letters to every site we find doing this, but it's a whac-a-mole effort. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Red and green flags To protect yourself, the experts at
Meaco recommends watching out for the following red flags: Performance claims or prices that appeartoo goodtobe true when compared with established models. Anairconditionerthat is out of stock at trusted retailers but available throughanunfamiliar website or social media advert. A price significantly above the normal retail price. No independent media reviews of the product or verified reviews of the retailer. Suspicious customer reviews including stupendous claims, repeated wording, vague comments or many reviews posted within a short period. No verifiable UK address, working telephone number, or established social media accounts. A mobile number that goes unanswered or failstoconnect. Vague or missing information about delivery, returns, refundsand warranty support. A short warranty or even no warranty detailed. Limited or unusual online payment options such as gift cards, crypto, or direct bank transfers. Based on my own research, you should also watch out
for websites that claim to be UK-based but make reference to other currencies (for example, claiming that you can run the air conditioner for 'cents per day').

Beware AI-generated videos and images too. Gemini can confirm whether an
image was created using Google's generative tools , and OpenAI offers a tool for detecting images made using ChatGPT . These tools work particularly well for images of people, so test any pictures purporting to show customers, experts, or members of staff.

The experts from Meaco explain that there are also green flags that suggest the retailer might be the real deal: The seller appears on the manufacturers authorised retailer list, where one is available. The retailer hasanestablished trading historyand independently verified customer reviews. The website provides a verifiable UK addressand working contact details. Delivery, returns, refundsand warranty terms are clearly explained. The retailer offers secure, recognised payment options. The product has credible independent reviews from established publications. The price remains consistent with the manufacturers recommended retail price. Can't find a portable air conditioner on a site that looks legitimate? There's still help at hand I've just tested five portable fans , all of which are still in stock, and the model that came out on top is just 20. Also, check out our complete guide to the best fans for more options, many of which are still available to buy. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/air-quality/fake-air-conditioner-storefront-sca ms


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)