Coles shoppers beware: $3 kettle deal scam steams up social media
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In the digital age, where online shopping and social media have become intertwined with our daily lives, it's no surprise that scammers are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to trick us into parting with our hard-earned cash.
The latest scam to hit the virtual shelves is a particularly cunning one. It targets Coles shoppers with the promise of a high-end Smeg kettle for just $3, which is too good to be true.
However, before you get your hopes up about snagging a bargain in time for Mother's Day, let's take a closer look at why this deal is not just a steal, but a fake.
The scam, which circulated on social media, features a convincing image of a display of Smeg kettles, complete with a Coles sign and a prominently displayed $3 price tag.
The post claimed that Coles is offering this incredible deal as part of a new Mother’s Day promotion to shoppers who met certain criteria.
The popular kitchen gadget, available in various colours, usually sells for $200 and is in high demand among homeowners.
‘Coles is running a promotion for Mother’s Day!’ the post read.
‘All women over 30 can get a Smeg kettle. Answer four questions to receive yours.’
The scam post garnered hundreds of responses, with some users even claiming to have received their Smeg kettle, sharing images and singing praises of the promotion.
‘It arrived in just three days, delivered this morning. I still can’t believe it’s real. Thank you so much!’ one commenter wrote along with an image of the item in her kitchen.
‘Great! This is a great kettle, I would never have believed in such a promotion, delivered very quickly!’ another shared, posting a similar image.
Alarmingly, other users expressed their intention to join the promotion after reading the positive reviews.
‘At first, I didn’t believe it, but the support confirmed everything. Therefore, already order yourself,’ one urged.
However, as the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case, it's not just a saying but a reality.
A Coles spokesperson confirmed that the promotion is a scam and has no affiliation with the supermarket chain.
‘Coles advises customers to be aware of websites, competitions and other unsolicited communications that use the Coles brand without Coles’ permission or which promote Coles rewards in an attempt to appear legitimate,’ a spokesperson stated.
‘These offers predominantly attempt to collect your personal details or financial information and Coles will never request personal or banking details in unsolicited communications.’
‘We encourage people to report any suspicious communication you may have received to the ACCC via their Scamwatch page,’ they added.
This is not the first time that Coles’ name was involved in this type of scam, promising shoppers with some type of deal.
Last year, Coles also warned its shoppers about a similar scam involving text messages urging them to click on a suspicious link.
Have you or someone you know encountered a similar scam? What are your tips on staying safe online? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below.
The latest scam to hit the virtual shelves is a particularly cunning one. It targets Coles shoppers with the promise of a high-end Smeg kettle for just $3, which is too good to be true.
However, before you get your hopes up about snagging a bargain in time for Mother's Day, let's take a closer look at why this deal is not just a steal, but a fake.
The scam, which circulated on social media, features a convincing image of a display of Smeg kettles, complete with a Coles sign and a prominently displayed $3 price tag.
The post claimed that Coles is offering this incredible deal as part of a new Mother’s Day promotion to shoppers who met certain criteria.
The popular kitchen gadget, available in various colours, usually sells for $200 and is in high demand among homeowners.
Coles customers were cautioned about a scam offering fake Mother’s Day promotions for $3 Smeg kettles. Credits: Facebook / Michelle Collett
‘Coles is running a promotion for Mother’s Day!’ the post read.
‘All women over 30 can get a Smeg kettle. Answer four questions to receive yours.’
The scam post garnered hundreds of responses, with some users even claiming to have received their Smeg kettle, sharing images and singing praises of the promotion.
‘It arrived in just three days, delivered this morning. I still can’t believe it’s real. Thank you so much!’ one commenter wrote along with an image of the item in her kitchen.
‘Great! This is a great kettle, I would never have believed in such a promotion, delivered very quickly!’ another shared, posting a similar image.
Alarmingly, other users expressed their intention to join the promotion after reading the positive reviews.
‘At first, I didn’t believe it, but the support confirmed everything. Therefore, already order yourself,’ one urged.
However, as the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case, it's not just a saying but a reality.
A Coles spokesperson confirmed that the promotion is a scam and has no affiliation with the supermarket chain.
‘Coles advises customers to be aware of websites, competitions and other unsolicited communications that use the Coles brand without Coles’ permission or which promote Coles rewards in an attempt to appear legitimate,’ a spokesperson stated.
‘These offers predominantly attempt to collect your personal details or financial information and Coles will never request personal or banking details in unsolicited communications.’
‘We encourage people to report any suspicious communication you may have received to the ACCC via their Scamwatch page,’ they added.
This is not the first time that Coles’ name was involved in this type of scam, promising shoppers with some type of deal.
Last year, Coles also warned its shoppers about a similar scam involving text messages urging them to click on a suspicious link.
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