Yahoo Finance Bunnings warning after Aussies given $500 offer
Scam warning issued over email that could’ve dropped in your inbox.
Bunnings customers are being warned not to be fooled by a new scam tempting shoppers with the promise of a $500 gift voucher as the hardware giant responds to accusations of sexism in store.
The National Anti-Scam Centre issued the warning on X (formerly Twitter).
“We've received reports of phishing emails claiming to be from Bunnings and offering a $500 gift card with a link to confirm. This is a scam,” Scamwatch said.
Have you got a story to tell? Contact belinda.grantgeary@yahooinc.com
This isn’t the first time Bunnings customers have been targeted, with the hardware giant issuing a warning about social media pages, texts and websites offering jobs or prizes.
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Bunnings said to beware of the following ploys:
Being asked to fill out a ‘customer satisfaction survey’ with personal details
Request to share, comment on or like a Facebook page
Calling a specific telephone number on which you’re asked for personal information 55
Bunnings branded emails offering a ‘prize’ that needs extra personal information to claim
“Bunnings is in no way associated with any of the above activities and does not use email or social media for any promotions offering free gift cards,” Bunnings said. “Bunnings will also never ask for personal information or banking details in unsolicited communications.”
Those who have fallen for the carefully crafted scam have been forced to cancel their cards after rogue charges.
We've received reports of phishing emails claiming to be from Bunnings and offering a $500 gift card with a link to confirm. This is a scam.
Don't click on links and help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch. https://t.co/S2EYwQJ38k pic.twitter.com/8tZg5xQ7B3— NASC Scamwatch (@Scamwatch_gov) February 19, 2024
“I filled out a survey and stupidly gave my credit card details to receive the free gift,” one person said. “$3.00 was taken out of my account and it signed me up for a membership to aiwitrix.com. Consequently I cancelled my VISA card.
Bunnings said it "does not tolerate" sexism on Tuesday after a young worker revealed she felt "ignored" and dismissed as "feeble" by customers in store, in stark contrast to how her male counterparts are treated.
Bunnings worker Haley Webber said she felt she was treated differently because she was a female as she recalled a recent encounter she had with a man who had been shopping for a heavy set of bags and needed help getting them down from the shelf.
She was was happy to help him, but he insisted she wouldn’t be able to manage the task because the bags weighed 20 kilograms each and he thought she wouldn’t be strong enough.
The Bunnings staff member said the customer looked at her like she was a “weak” and “feeble woman” and tried to do it himself. You can read about her story here.
How do I protect myself from scammers?
Aussies lost a record $3.1 billion to scammers last year, an 80 per cent increase on the previous year.
Scamwatch warn to beware of the following scenarios:
It’s an amazing opportunity to make or save money
Someone you haven’t met needs your help - and money
The message contains links or attachments
You feel pressured to act quickly
They ask you to pay in an unusual or specific way
They ask you to set up new accounts or Pay ID
What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
Contact your bank and report the scam. Ask them to stop transactions and stop sending any money.
Report the scam to Scamwatch here and make an official complaint to police here.
Watch out for follow up scams, particularly ones promising they can get your money back. Scamwatch warned one in three victims of a scam are scammed more than once.
Lastly, get support for yourself. You can talk to a financial counsellor or reach out to BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 or here for an online chat or Lifeline for crisis support online here on 13 11 14.
You can also contact IDCARE to “reduce the harm they experience from the compromise and misuse of their identity information by providing effective response and mitigation”.
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