Scammers use JB Hi-Fi to target Aussies

POLICE have issued a warning to unwitting Aussies that are being sent fake JB Hi-Fi text messages offering up an exciting job.

POLICE have warned JB Hi-Fi fans about a circulating text scam that promises the opportunity to be a “tester”.

In a post earlier today, NSW Police said it was aware of the SMS scam and warned Aussies the text, which offers people the opportunity to “test” JB Hi-Fi products, was a scam.

“We advise not clicking the link or responding to the message,” JB Hi-Fi said in a statement.

“Scammers are clever and can make their content and messages look like us, but we would never ask for your personal information via SMS.

MORE NEWS:

Suspected murder-suicide: Mum loved son ‘so much’

Abbott’s swipe at Turnbull’s call to quit

Husar: ‘Slut-shaming made me quit’

“JB will only use SMS to deliver notifications, services or if you have asked our counter staff to send you a copy of a digital receipt for your in-store purchase.

“The best thing to do is to delete these fake text messages.”

NSW Police warn about JB Hi-Fi.

Earlier this month, scam experts warned Aussies to watch out for a separate phone scam involving overseas calls.

The phone calls essentially prank your phone in the hopes you will call back at which point you might be unwittingly racking up a hefty bill.

This type of scam has become increasingly common with calls originating from places like Cuba, Africa and Latvia targeting mobile customers in Australia in recent months.

Speaking to the ABC earlier this year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s deputy chair, Delia Rickard, recommended ignoring calls from country codes you don’t recognise to avoid getting caught up in a “wangiri scam”.

“What typically happens is the scammer calls for just one ring then cuts the line leaving a missed call on the victim’s phone,” Ms Rickard said.

“Then the victim calls the number back and they could be put on hold, have music playing or they could try and chat.”

The objective is to keep you on the phone for as long as possible. The scammers often call on premium lines similar to those used by psychic hotlines or sex lines that can end up costing you a small fortune.

But these calls are different and Ms Rickard said with scams like these, the perpetrators can find a way to get some of the money charged for calling the premium line — and it’s very difficult for telcos to prevent.

According to the ACCC’s ScamWatch, Australians have lost more than $48,000 to premium service scam calls in the past year.

So if you see someone calling from Latvia, proceed with caution.

— Additional reporting by Nick Whigham.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

► CHAPTER ONE: Inside the squad that beat Sydney’s gangs

► CHAPTER TWO: The real-life police fight club

► CHAPTER THREE: The day bikies went too far

► CHAPTER FOUR: Bikie gangs: Warlords of the underworld

Download The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone or tablet to get the full story.

APPLE: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR iOS

GOOGLE PLAY: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR ANDROID

The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone and tablet is a crackerjack way to read the stories that matter most to you

Get alerts about the latest breaking news on your locked smartphone screen and then tap to go straight to the article

WHAT YOU GET WITH OUR APP

► Live and latest news — Get the news as it breaks 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

► My News — Your own personal news feed. Tailor your news to get straight to the topics that matter to you

► Today’s Paper — Read the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as its printed

► Notifications — Be the first to know when big stories break with instant news alerts straight to the locked screen on your smartphone and tablet

► Live Sport Scores — Stay on the ball with NRL and AFL live sport scores and expect analysis

► Share — Join the conversation and share your favourite stories via Facebook, Twitter or email

► Daily puzzles — With new crosswords and Sudoku puzzles every day, there’s always something to keep your mind active

► Subscribe — Through the app (via iTunes) to start your 30-day FREE trial; then your subscription will automatically renew to $29.99 per month.

FIND OUT MORE HERE ►

Be alerted to breaking news as it happens or simply tap “Today’s paper” to read the newspaper as it was printed

Choose the news sections you want to read with “My topics” or get access to all sections with the interactive menu bar

Read the digital replica of the newspaper as it was printed that day

LISTEN TO AUSTRALIA’S No1 COLD CASE PODCAST

Eight Minutes is a special investigation podcast series into the cold case murder of David Breckenridge. Listen to it on your smartphone now

► CHAPTER ONE: WHO KILLED DAVID BRECKENRIDGE?

► CHAPTER TWO: WHO WAS DAVID BRECKENRIDGE?

► CHAPTER THREE: WHY POLICE STOPPED DAVID’S CREMATION

► CHAPTER FOUR: LOVE TRIANGLE EXPOSED DURING INQUEST

► CHAPTER FIVE: NEW EVIDENCE IN HUNT FOR KILLER

►► SUBSCRIBE: LISTEN ON YOUR iPhone

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook News // Facebook Sport // Facebook SuperCoach NRL // Facebook Sydney Confidential // Facebook Live Streaming // Twitter News // Twitter Sport // Twitter SuperCoach NRL // Twitter Sydney Confidential // Instagram Daily Telegraph