Southland's H&J Smith department store has become the target of a bizarre fake news scam video which claims the retailer is closing its doors.
The video, claiming to be from United States-based Fox News, appears to have combined photographs of the stores with real news footage from elsewhere.
It features interviews with concerned American shoppers and a voiceover saying the chain would close "nationwide… displacing 5000 employees".
H&J Smith has responded on social media saying the video "could not be further from the truth".
The business told Stuff it has received several calls from concerned customers who had seen the video.
"It's just disappointing that people take it upon themselves to create confusion for customers," H&J Smith chief executive John Green told Stuff.
The stores in Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Gore, Balclutha, Te Anau, and Mosgiel will all remain open.
Newshub.
