Too good to be true: Aussies warned of deceptive $500 gift card scam
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Attention all Aussie online shoppers! We all know how convenient online shopping can be, but we have to tell you — stay sharp and keep your guard up because scammers are always on the prowl.
This is a cautionary tale about a cunning scam that's been making the rounds on the social media platform Instagram.
Picture this: you're minding your own business, scrolling through your Instagram feed, when suddenly you receive a comment from an account congratulating you on winning a $500 gift card. Sounds too good to be true, right? That's because it is.
According to the experts at digital security company Avast, this scam is all smoke and mirrors. It's designed to lure you in with the promise of freebies and then trick you into handing over your personal information.
'This phishing scam is topical, and it is preying on people who want to be a part of the viral trend of fast-fashion empire, Shein, which is what makes it so easy to fall for,' Avast cyber security expert Stephen Kho said.
Shein is a beloved discount website where you all buy almost any accessory or clothing item you can imagine for a fraction of the usual price. How is that possible? Shein has allegedly incurred multiple modern labour law violations due to the poor working conditions of employees.
'The idea of a $500 gift card can be pretty exciting due to the volume of trendy clothes you could purchase; however, it is important to always remain cautious of claims that sound too good to be true,' said Kho.
Here's how the scam works: when you click on the link provided in the comment to ‘redeem your prize’, you're taken to a third-party website where you're asked to enter your details and pay a $2 fee.
A $500 gift card for a mere $2 fee seems like a great deal that's too good to pass up!
But here's the catch: that $2 fee is just the tip of the iceberg. By clicking that tempting link and completing the payment, you're actually signing up for a subscription that will charge your card a staggering $69 every fortnight.
That's right, $69 — not just a one-time charge, but a recurring payment that can quickly add up. And what do you get in return for this hefty price tag? Well, that's the tricky part. You won't receive any gift cards or fashion items.
In fact, you won't get anything at all. It's all part of a sneaky scam designed to lure you in with a too-good-to-be-true offer, only to leave you high and dry with a drained bank account.
Now, you might be thinking, 'But I never signed up for a subscription!' And you'd be right, but here's the kicker: the scammers behind this scheme have hidden the subscription and mandatory payment of $69 deep within the website's terms and conditions, which the average user never bothers to read thoroughly.
So, before you fall for the temptation of a seemingly amazing deal, remember to always read the fine print, be cautious of suspicious offers, and protect yourself from potential scams.
Don't let scammers take advantage of your hard-earned money. Stay alert and stay safe while shopping online!
As we've reported several times before, scammers are constantly coming up with new and creative ways to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims online. And unfortunately, senior Aussies can be particularly vulnerable to these schemes.
That's why it's more important than ever to stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe while using the internet. There is another scam making the rounds that's similar in nature, but this time it's aimed at Gmail users.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from online scams and fraud? First and foremost, always be cautious and sceptical of any offers or messages that seem too good to be true. Take the time to research the legitimacy of any website or company before sharing your personal information or making a payment.
And most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from family members, friends, or trusted professionals when it comes to navigating the online world.
Additionally, contact your local bank ASAP should you discover that your card has been compromised, and report any incident to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via their Report a Scam page.
Staying informed about the latest scams and frauds is a key part of protecting yourself from online threats. And one great resource for doing so is the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website.
By visiting the Scam Watch forum regularly, you can stay up to date on the latest scams and frauds that are targeting Australians. You'll also find helpful tips and advice on how to recognise and avoid these types of schemes, as well as information on what to do if you think you've been a victim of a scam.
What are some strategies you use to stay safe online? Have you ever encountered a scam or fraudulent offer? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — let's work together to protect ourselves and our communities from online threats.
This is a cautionary tale about a cunning scam that's been making the rounds on the social media platform Instagram.
Picture this: you're minding your own business, scrolling through your Instagram feed, when suddenly you receive a comment from an account congratulating you on winning a $500 gift card. Sounds too good to be true, right? That's because it is.
According to the experts at digital security company Avast, this scam is all smoke and mirrors. It's designed to lure you in with the promise of freebies and then trick you into handing over your personal information.
Australian shoppers are being warned about a sneaky online gift card scam on Instagram that can cost victims $69 a fortnight. Credit: Unsplash/Solen Feyissa.
'This phishing scam is topical, and it is preying on people who want to be a part of the viral trend of fast-fashion empire, Shein, which is what makes it so easy to fall for,' Avast cyber security expert Stephen Kho said.
Shein is a beloved discount website where you all buy almost any accessory or clothing item you can imagine for a fraction of the usual price. How is that possible? Shein has allegedly incurred multiple modern labour law violations due to the poor working conditions of employees.
'The idea of a $500 gift card can be pretty exciting due to the volume of trendy clothes you could purchase; however, it is important to always remain cautious of claims that sound too good to be true,' said Kho.
Here's how the scam works: when you click on the link provided in the comment to ‘redeem your prize’, you're taken to a third-party website where you're asked to enter your details and pay a $2 fee.
A $500 gift card for a mere $2 fee seems like a great deal that's too good to pass up!
But here's the catch: that $2 fee is just the tip of the iceberg. By clicking that tempting link and completing the payment, you're actually signing up for a subscription that will charge your card a staggering $69 every fortnight.
That's right, $69 — not just a one-time charge, but a recurring payment that can quickly add up. And what do you get in return for this hefty price tag? Well, that's the tricky part. You won't receive any gift cards or fashion items.
In fact, you won't get anything at all. It's all part of a sneaky scam designed to lure you in with a too-good-to-be-true offer, only to leave you high and dry with a drained bank account.
Now, you might be thinking, 'But I never signed up for a subscription!' And you'd be right, but here's the kicker: the scammers behind this scheme have hidden the subscription and mandatory payment of $69 deep within the website's terms and conditions, which the average user never bothers to read thoroughly.
So, before you fall for the temptation of a seemingly amazing deal, remember to always read the fine print, be cautious of suspicious offers, and protect yourself from potential scams.
Don't let scammers take advantage of your hard-earned money. Stay alert and stay safe while shopping online!
As we've reported several times before, scammers are constantly coming up with new and creative ways to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims online. And unfortunately, senior Aussies can be particularly vulnerable to these schemes.
That's why it's more important than ever to stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe while using the internet. There is another scam making the rounds that's similar in nature, but this time it's aimed at Gmail users.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from online scams and fraud? First and foremost, always be cautious and sceptical of any offers or messages that seem too good to be true. Take the time to research the legitimacy of any website or company before sharing your personal information or making a payment.
And most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from family members, friends, or trusted professionals when it comes to navigating the online world.
Additionally, contact your local bank ASAP should you discover that your card has been compromised, and report any incident to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via their Report a Scam page.
Staying informed about the latest scams and frauds is a key part of protecting yourself from online threats. And one great resource for doing so is the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website.
By visiting the Scam Watch forum regularly, you can stay up to date on the latest scams and frauds that are targeting Australians. You'll also find helpful tips and advice on how to recognise and avoid these types of schemes, as well as information on what to do if you think you've been a victim of a scam.
What are some strategies you use to stay safe online? Have you ever encountered a scam or fraudulent offer? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — let's work together to protect ourselves and our communities from online threats.
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