NCC: Multiple complaints of ‘scam’ Hillcrest online store
The National Consumer Commission is warning consumers to be aware of a bogus online furniture store said to be based in Hillcrest.
The commission has labelled Milo Designs as a scam, saying the Facebook and Instagram account holder has been using images stolen from other companies to market pieces of furniture like headboards and bedroom suites.
The regulator says there's been a spike in complaints from consumers who say they have fallen victim to the online scam and parted with thousands of rands.
Milo Designs has meanwhile been found guilty of contravening the Consumer Protection Act.
READ: SIU recoups R71m in unduly claimed TERS funds
"Ever since we have started interacting or trying to serve them, we have been receiving complaints from consumers; hence the commission decided to say to consumers, if you really are going to be interacting or transacting with them, you need to be extra careful because you might not get the goods that you are buying,” says spokesperson Phetho Ntaba.
He has confirmed that the images used on the site were stolen from foreign upholstery stores.
"An online store will have offices or they will have a place where they manufacture their products. In their case, we have not been lucky enough to get to their offices or to get to a place where they manufacture their products."
