A fake Woolworths customer satisfaction survey is going around at the moment that asks for bank account details in exchange for a $150 gift voucher.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned
that they have already received 140 complaints since the scam resurfaced at the
start of September.
According to the ACCC, scammers are sending this survey out of the blue
– usually via email or social media sites such as Facebook - and asking you to
complete questions before you can claim the voucher. They may also ask for
banking details to complete the survey. If you are duped, you will find that
the vouchers are fakes and retailers won’t honour them.
Once you have unknowingly sent your details to a scammer, they can steal
your money – and possibly even your identity.
The ACCC gives the example of someone who was checking her Facebook page
and found a friend had ‘liked’ a link to a Woolworths survey, which offered a
$150 voucher for a five minute survey. She completed the questions and filled
in personal details at the end. She received the voucher in her email yet
discovered at the checkout that it was a fake. When she went home she was
shocked to discover unauthorised transactions on her credit card.
Vouchers for surveys are often used by retailers, which is why it is
easy to get caught out. If you see one of these surveys, call the business’
official customer service line before starting it. Don’t rely on the links or telephone
numbers provided on the offer as these can link to a fake website or even a
fake call centre.
Alarm bells should particularly ring if you are asked to provide bank
account or credit-card details. If you think you may have provided your account
details to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately.
Further information is available at the Scamwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au.
