If you were sitting alone quietly, sipping your tea and thinking that loyalty programmes were the sweet cherry on today's digital age's cake, we're sorry to burst your bubble.

Yes, you heard it right—your loyalty points, your hard-earned bonus for being a faithful customer, could make you an unsuspecting part of a well-planned trap.

According to a recent report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), notable names like Qantas, Telstra, and Coles are sadly not immune.

Customers of these entities are targeted by this increasingly prevalent scam involving loyalty programmes.

The prevalence of online scams remains a significant concern, even within loyalty programmes, where unsuspecting individuals may fall victim to fraudulent schemes. Image from shutterstock

Some individuals have reported receiving texts or emails about their expiring loyalty points.

However, upon clicking the provided link, they are directed to a fraudulent website that aims to steal their login credentials or credit card details.

This malicious act results in losing reward points and compromises personal information.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe unveiled this high-tech deceit, mentioning that most of the reports lodged with them pertained to the Qantas, Telstra, and Coles loyalty programmes.

However, she warned that any loyalty programme could be susceptible.

Just recently, they issued an urgent warning to Australians about fraudulent text messages impersonating Qantas. The scam texts claim that a significant number of Qantas points are about to expire and include a link for 'details'.

Similarly, scammers are also impersonating Coles to deceive customers into clicking on their links, aiming to phish for their personal information.

Now that we are aware of this concerning news, it's also important to remember that there's no need to avoid loyalty programs altogether.

The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) is actively monitoring these programs.

Lowe said, ‘The National Anti-Scam Centre has contacted the companies that have been impersonated by scammers and is working with web host providers to have the fake websites taken down, to minimise harm to the community.’

As the popularity of online shopping and rewards programs grows, it becomes crucial for consumers to stay vigilant, exercise caution, and verify the authenticity of any offers or promotions they encounter to protect themselves from potential scams. Image from shutterstock

In the meantime, Lowe advises keeping a wary eye on any messages regarding loyalty points. Her advice is to delete these messages immediately if they contain any links.

The ACCC also advises people to be cautious before sharing personal information, to question the authenticity of messages received, and to act promptly if anything seems suspicious.

They also encourage people to contact the company mentioned in the message and report any potential scams to Scamwatch.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned of a rise in loyalty program scams.
  
• Scammers impersonate companies such as Qantas, Telstra, and Coles, telling consumers that their loyalty points are about to expire.
  
• The scammers' messages usually include a link to a fake website, aiming to extract customers' login details, credit card information, and personal information.
  
• The ACCC advises consumers to never click on such links and to always access their loyalty program's app or website independently when checking points or other account details.

Here are some simple tips to help keep you on your toes against scams:

1. Check the email: Make sure it looks genuine, especially from well-known companies like Qantas, Coles, or Telstra. Watch out for any weird spellings or mistakes.
2. Be cautious with your personal information: Legitimate companies don't usually ask for your personal details through email or text. Never share sensitive info like bank PINs.
3. Take your time: If a message makes you anxious and pushes you to act immediately, take a moment to breathe. Scammers often use fear to trick people.

By following these easy tips, you can protect yourself better from online scams.

Members, remember that loyalty is a virtue, but caution lets us enjoy that virtue safely. And yes, we do love rewards, but only if they're not attached to an elaborate scam!

Have you encountered any suspicious messages lately? How do you ensure you interact with legitimate communications from loyalty programs and not fall victim to scams? Tell us in the comments section below!

 

[JamieM]

Recently I had a scam message re my Linkt road toll account advising me that my account was not up to date and that I should not drive anywhere until it was updated and also providing a link to remedy it. I have automatic payment set up and an entry had just gone through a day or two earlier. Of course I did not respond but forwarded a copy to Linkt to alert them.

 

[Shane/#]

If you were sitting alone quietly, sipping your tea and thinking that loyalty programmes were the sweet cherry on today's digital age's cake, we're sorry to burst your bubble.

Yes, you heard it right—your loyalty points, your hard-earned bonus for being a faithful customer, could make you an unsuspecting part of a well-planned trap.

According to a recent report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), notable names like Qantas, Telstra, and Coles are sadly not immune.

Customers of these entities are targeted by this increasingly prevalent scam involving loyalty programmes.

View attachment 25969

The prevalence of online scams remains a significant concern, even within loyalty programmes, where unsuspecting individuals may fall victim to fraudulent schemes. Image from shutterstock

Some individuals have reported receiving texts or emails about their expiring loyalty points.

However, upon clicking the provided link, they are directed to a fraudulent website that aims to steal their login credentials or credit card details.

This malicious act results in losing reward points and compromises personal information.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe unveiled this high-tech deceit, mentioning that most of the reports lodged with them pertained to the Qantas, Telstra, and Coles loyalty programmes.

However, she warned that any loyalty programme could be susceptible.

Just recently, they issued an urgent warning to Australians about fraudulent text messages impersonating Qantas. The scam texts claim that a significant number of Qantas points are about to expire and include a link for 'details'.

Similarly, scammers are also impersonating Coles to deceive customers into clicking on their links, aiming to phish for their personal information.

Now that we are aware of this concerning news, it's also important to remember that there's no need to avoid loyalty programs altogether.

The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) is actively monitoring these programs.

Lowe said, ‘The National Anti-Scam Centre has contacted the companies that have been impersonated by scammers and is working with web host providers to have the fake websites taken down, to minimise harm to the community.’

View attachment 25970

As the popularity of online shopping and rewards programs grows, it becomes crucial for consumers to stay vigilant, exercise caution, and verify the authenticity of any offers or promotions they encounter to protect themselves from potential scams. Image from shutterstock

In the meantime, Lowe advises keeping a wary eye on any messages regarding loyalty points. Her advice is to delete these messages immediately if they contain any links.

The ACCC also advises people to be cautious before sharing personal information, to question the authenticity of messages received, and to act promptly if anything seems suspicious.

They also encourage people to contact the company mentioned in the message and report any potential scams to Scamwatch.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned of a rise in loyalty program scams.
• Scammers impersonate companies such as Qantas, Telstra, and Coles, telling consumers that their loyalty points are about to expire.
• The scammers' messages usually include a link to a fake website, aiming to extract customers' login details, credit card information, and personal information.
• The ACCC advises consumers to never click on such links and to always access their loyalty program's app or website independently when checking points or other account details.

Here are some simple tips to help keep you on your toes against scams:

1. Check the email: Make sure it looks genuine, especially from well-known companies like Qantas, Coles, or Telstra. Watch out for any weird spellings or mistakes.
2. Be cautious with your personal information: Legitimate companies don't usually ask for your personal details through email or text. Never share sensitive info like bank PINs.
3. Take your time: If a message makes you anxious and pushes you to act immediately, take a moment to breathe. Scammers often use fear to trick people.

By following these easy tips, you can protect yourself better from online scams.

Members, remember that loyalty is a virtue, but caution lets us enjoy that virtue safely. And yes, we do love rewards, but only if they're not attached to an elaborate scam!

Have you encountered any suspicious messages lately? How do you ensure you interact with legitimate communications from loyalty programs and not fall victim to scams? Tell us in the comments section below!

Relentless dog's these arseholes are and great how safe technology is should go back to chiselling word's in rock and let's see them deceive us then

 

[Macarj]

Surely no body clicks on links in an email any more