Wowcher to refund 100,000s customers £4.99 each after signing them up to 'VIP' memberships – how to claim the cash

Wowcher is making the payments following an investigation by watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its "pressure selling tactics".

MoneySavingExpert.com first warned consumers about Wowcher's use of pre-ticked boxes for its VIP service back in 2022, after our investigation found that scores of customers had been caught out.

How to claim your Wowcher refund

If you were signed up to Wowcher's VIP service via a pre-ticked box at the checkout, a £4.99 refund will be automatically credited to your Wowcher account by Wednesday 14 August – look out for an email or text from Wowcher confirming this. The credit will be valid for one year from the date it was issued.

Payments for Wowcher's VIP service do not auto-renew, so most affected customers were only charged £4.99 once. Wowcher told us that a "very small number" of customers were signed up via a pre-ticked box more than once, and that they would be refunded for each payment.

Once the credit's in your account, you'll then be able to request for it to be paid as cash by contacting Wowcher through its WhatsApp service, or via Twitter or Facebook. Alternatively, you'll be able to spend the credit on Wowcher if you prefer.

Note: You WON'T be due this refund if you've already received one previously after complaining about the pre-ticked VIP subscription box.

If you think you were signed up to Wowcher VIP unknowingly and you're not offered a refund by 14 August 2024, you can complain by contacting Wowcher using the links above.

Wowcher has agreed to change its sales practices

In November last year, the CMA wrote to Wowcher warning it to change its sales practices or face court action.

The regulator had expressed concerns over Wowcher's use of pre-ticked boxes for VIP sign-ups, as well as countdown timers and various marketing claims – such as "Running out!" and "In high demand!". It found that these tactics created a false sense of urgency and unfairly influenced people's purchasing decisions.

As a result of the CMA's action, Wowcher has now formally agreed to:

• Stop using pre-ticked boxes for VIP sign-ups. This will ensure that shoppers are fully aware of what they're signing up for.

   

• Only use clear and accurate countdown timers. The timers must not give the false impression that customers need to act quickly to avoid missing out on a deal.

• Ensure all marketing claims are clear and accurate. For example, claims about items potentially running out – such as "only two remaining" – must accurately reflect Wowcher's stock levels.

What does Wowcher say?

A Wowcher spokesperson said: "We are happy to take on feedback to improve the clarity of our promotions and to further enhance our customers’ experience."