Authorities warn Coles and Woolies shoppers over scam gift cards
Authorities are warning northern beaches shoppers to beware of fake text message and emails offering free $500 gift vouchers to Coles and Woolies.
Manly
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AUTHORITIES are warning northern beaches shoppers to beware of fake text message and emails offering free $500 gift vouchers to Coles and Woolies.
Criminals are using the financial enticement as a way of grabbing customers’ personal details and banking information, according to the national consumer watchdog.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission is investigating scams offering gift cards if they fill in a customer satisfaction survey.
IT is also examining texts inviting customers to get in touch — and provide banking details — because they have been overcharged during their last trip to the supermarket.
Police on the northern beaches are also urging consumers to be vigilant about hoax text messages and emails.
This week, Mary Loonam, of Beacon Hill, received text messages on her mobile phone purporting to be from Coles and Woolies urging her to provide private information as part of a chance to receive a free $500 gift card..
Mrs Loonam was so suspicious of the text asking her to fill in a survey that she visited Woolworths at Warringah Mall to query the message.
“I told them that there was something wrong about it,” she said.
“I’m getting on a bit and I recognised it was suspicious, but there are a lot of old people out there who could be scammed.”
Coles is advising its customers to be aware of competitions and other unsolicited promotions that use the Coles brand, without Coles’ permission, or which promote Coles gift cards in an attempt to appear legitimate.
“These offers predominantly attempt to collect your personal details or financial information,” Coles said in a statement on its website.
“Coles will never request personal or banking details in unsolicited communications.”
Woolworths is encouraging its customers to be wary of requests to complete a customer satisfaction survey that promises a reward when completed and then asked for personal details or financial information.
It also advised that customers should not “Share” or “Like” a Facebook post in exchange for a gift card or voucher and to never call a specific phone number and provide personal information.
Police said everyone should be wary of any unsolicited electronic messages.
Northern Beaches acting crime manager, Guy Magee, said: “If you think the message or email is suspicious, that’s because it is.”
PROTECT YOURSELF (Source: ACCC):
●Be alert to unsolicited offers
●Verify the offer — Contact the relevant retailer using contact details you get from a phone book or independent online search.
●Avoid clicking links — don’t rely on links or phone numbers appearing in an offer — these can direct you to fake websites or download malware.
●Take your time — many scams will claim the offer is limited to try and create a sense of urgency.
●Consider your privacy — Only provide information such as Medicare numbers and credit card security codes to organisations you can trust
●Report — If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately.
