Shoppers beware: Woolworths hit by ‘illegal’ barcode sticker scam

It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


barcode.jpg
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


barcode2.jpg
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


barcode3.jpg
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


barcode4.jpg
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways
  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
 
Sponsored
It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


View attachment 14273
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


View attachment 14274
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


View attachment 14275
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


View attachment 14276
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
The normal Woolworth's bar-code stickers defining the price of an item are already scamming us. What's new about price-gouging?
 
You said "What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines."
I think you meant to say ,,,,,scam where criminals claim to be working for ,,,
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElleJay
It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


View attachment 14273
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


View attachment 14274
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


View attachment 14275
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


View attachment 14276
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
why am I seeing adds all over this website now ,I never used to get any adds. If this keeps going with adds I don't think I'll bother any more .!!!
 
Wow. The police and store needs to check CTV footage from days before. The culprit would have put that replacement card and many others there days before and not on the day. They would have gone to other stores as well. My guess is that it's an employee whether in the store or where the cards are manufactured and they just 'wait' knowing that sooner or later these scammed cards will soon be purchased.

I just reported a scam being sent via FB to Bunnings. Reported it yesterday and they PM back that it is a scam and their Head Office scam team now have this case as well as others. All stores need to know about this latest scam. It's amazing how they think of various ways to scam people and companies.

Then, I get another scammer sending me a FB reply stating that I had won a Samsung and to PM them. Please people, never ever reply to them. The same stating you owe E-tag monies. Tax not paid. That they are the police and need to speak to you. It does not work that way and if the police want you they will call you and/or come to your home even if you are a witness. They will leave an actual phone message. I witnessed an incident and the police do things in a certain way. If you use your FB via iphone/mobile and click on them and/or PM them you automatically have given them access to your phone and if you pay groceries/items via your iphone then you have given them access.

Stay safe everyone.
 
You said "What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines."
I think you meant to say ,,,,,scam where criminals claim to be working for ,,,
The scammers try everything that they can. Even pretending to be one of your friends because people have clicked on one of the messages. The scammers then use other methods.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezzy
It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


View attachment 14273
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


View attachment 14274
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


View attachment 14275
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


View attachment 14276
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Just bought another 8kg of cat biscuits at Big W. It used to be $18 then it went to $19, then it went to $23 and now it is $28. Have I been scammed by someone fiddling the bar-codes, or is this inflation because Big W has an overpriced mortgage it has to pay off, or perhaps the war in Ukraine has denied Big W a steady supply of 8kg packs of cat biscuits. We hear all sorts of excuses for price-gouging these days it is hard to know what to believe. Or is it just inflation for the sake of it?
 
Wow. The police and store needs to check CTV footage from days before. The culprit would have put that replacement card and many others there days before and not on the day. They would have gone to other stores as well. My guess is that it's an employee whether in the store or where the cards are manufactured and they just 'wait' knowing that sooner or later these scammed cards will soon be purchased.

I just reported a scam being sent via FB to Bunnings. Reported it yesterday and they PM back that it is a scam and their Head Office scam team now have this case as well as others. All stores need to know about this latest scam. It's amazing how they think of various ways to scam people and companies.

Then, I get another scammer sending me a FB reply stating that I had won a Samsung and to PM them. Please people, never ever reply to them. The same stating you owe E-tag monies. Tax not paid. That they are the police and need to speak to you. It does not work that way and if the police want you they will call you and/or come to your home even if you are a witness. They will leave an actual phone message. I witnessed an incident and the police do things in a certain way. If you use your FB via iphone/mobile and click on them and/or PM them you automatically have given them access to your phone and if you pay groceries/items via your iphone then you have given them access.

Stay safe everyone.
 
It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


View attachment 14273
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


View attachment 14274
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


View attachment 14275
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


View attachment 14276
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Thankyou, for the story. The supermarket has kept that one quiet.
 
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What about the pay pal scam mentioned in the headline, didn’t see any mention of it in the story.
 
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It’s an alarming con that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Woolworths shoppers have been warned to be on the lookout for a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam that appears to be the first of its kind.



Gift cards are a great gift option for shoppers because they allow the recipient to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this is what scammers are currently using to steal money from unsuspecting customers.


View attachment 14273
The sophisticated scam is said to be the first of its kind. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Adam and his girlfriend Gabby, both from Queensland, spoke to reporters about how they were swindled out of $200 after purchasing a Woolworths gift card that had been tampered with.

The scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode found on the back of the gift cards.



The replacement barcode stickers correspond to a card already in the con artist’s possession. So, when the compromised card has funds added to it by an unsuspecting customer, it goes directly to the scammer’s card that is linked to the tampered barcode sticker.

It is believed that this is the first supermarket scam to employ this kind of tactic, which prompted the supermarket to release a statement warning its customers.


View attachment 14274
Adam shared the photo of the tampered gift card. Credit: Adam and Gabby via 7 news

Adam said Gabby only noticed the suspicious barcode sticker while investigating why the gift card had no funds in it.

‘She purchased a Wish Gift Card from Woolworths at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, and put $200 on the card,’ he stated.

Later on, when she tried to access the funds, the balance still showed $0.00. Upon further investigation, the pair realised that a printed barcode was over the original barcode.



‘After doing some research, it turns out this is a scam...seen in Canberra and many other countries,’ Adam claimed.

He added that they brought this incident to the attention of Woolworths staff, who initially told them to wait 48 hours to see if the $200 appeared on the card.

However, after speaking to their local store’s manager, their case was escalated to the authorities and is now being investigated by the police.


View attachment 14275
The pair’s case is now under investigation. Credit: Woolworths

‘We spoke with the customer service manager and they refunded the money,’ Adam told reporters.

Upon further prodding, it was revealed that someone had planted the card Adam and Gabby bought in the store. According to reports, that particular green Wish card the pair had was not one that Woolworths currently keeps in stock.



Adam revealed: ‘They contacted the police and an investigation is underway. They are going to review the CCTV prior to the 18th of February, which was when the card was purchased, to see if they can find out who put the card there.’

He explained that the Customer Service Manager said that the police have not seen cases of this particular barcode scam in their area before.

‘She also told us that they audited their gift cards and could not find any more tampered cards.’


View attachment 14276
The scam is sophisticated in nature and could end up victimising more people. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels

A representative from Woolworths encouraged shoppers to be on the lookout for tampered gift cards.

They said: ‘Our store teams have been trained to support customers who may have been impacted by gift card-related scams.’

According to the spokesperson, customers should check the back of the barcode whenever they purchase any gift cards to make sure it hasn’t been replaced or tampered with. If shoppers find any concerns, they said that it should be raised immediately to a Woolies team member.



Adam said he was concerned that other shoppers may fall victim to a similar scam, and also urges consumers to check their gift cards for suspicious barcode stickers.

‘What makes this even more concerning is that there is absolutely no mention of this particular scam on the Woolworths Scam Alert page,’ Adam said at the time.

He alleged that ‘more customers are at risk of being scammed’ through their stores because it appears that there are no security checks in place for these types of scams.

‘We, the consumers, are the ones that are left to ensure our gift card purchases have not been tampered with by scammers.’

He further claimed that anyone is capable of committing this scam all the way through the supply chain, and that ‘it could have been done by a staff member’.

‘What kind of training do staff have in regards to tampered gift cards? What is Woolworths doing to ensure they are not facilitating fraud? Why are gift cards allowed to sit out in the open where anyone could potentially commit this crime? These questions need to be answered,’ Adam declared.

It is understood that Woolworths has had a small number of cases of gift card fraud reported to them in the past six months. Another sophisticated scam, where the criminal impersonates Woolworths Service Desk workers, was reported in the past. You can read more on that here.



As of writing, the sophisticated barcode scam is not on the supermarket’s scam alert website. What they do have is a warning for a scam that claims criminals are working for government agencies, such as the police, and instructing victims to urgently purchase gift cards to repay fines.

On their website, it said that after the cards have been purchased, the victim will be asked to share the 16-digit code on the back of the card. The store warned customers that government agencies will never request gift cards as a form of payment.

Consumers are also urged to stay updated on the latest scams circulating in Australia via the ACCC’s Scamwatch page. Alternatively, you can also browse through our forum to learn about the different scams targeting unsuspecting victims.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report the incident to the ACCC here.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths customers have been warned of a sophisticated new barcode sticker scam.
  • Criminals place a fraudulent barcode sticker over the original barcode located on the back of gift cards.
  • Queensland man Adam and his girlfriend fell victim to the scam after discovering a tampered gift card.
Stay safe out there, members! Did you know about this scam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
This is technology for you, marvelous how we love it and embrace it with no questions asked isn't it??!!
 
I had ads everywhere on every page some time ago and could hardly see what I was looking at and changed my browser page and they were gone, it seemed for me they were just on the first page when I clicked on my browser to see things, if that makes any sense.
 

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