Yahoo Finance Coles, Woolworths customers warned of $315 text
Coles and Woolworths shoppers are being targeted by a common scam text.
Aussies who shop at Coles and Woolworths have been told to be aware of a common scam technique being used to try to steal their money.
Scamwatch has warned Aussies about the scam text, which appears to come from ‘mum’ but is actually using a technique called ‘spoofing’ to make the text appear to come from a parent.
The text messages claim the loved one is at the grocery store and have brought the wrong debit or credit card with them and they request money to be used to cover the grocery bill.
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Another example claims the loved one is at the petrol station and, again, requests money to be transferred because they brought the wrong card.
Typically asking for $315 or $230, the texts can appear as legitimate, but Scamwatch said if you received a text claiming to be from a loved one requesting money, it was best to double check.
“If you get a message like this, stop and call your loved one on their usual number to confirm it’s really them. Don't send money without speaking to them first,” Scamwatch said.
Beware: 'Hi Mum' scam messages are still doing the rounds. If you get a message like this, stop and call your loved one on their usual number to confirm it’s really them. Don't send money without speaking to them first. Report to Scamwatch: https://t.co/tIBsC8mAlE pic.twitter.com/jgg89PgUlU
— Scamwatch_gov_au (@Scamwatch_gov) March 2, 2023
What is spoofing?
Scammers are able to use software to copy the number or contact name, so the text appears to be legitimate. The criminals can then attempt to steal your money or personal information.
More than $2.9 million was lost to phishing scams in January this year according to data from Scamwatch. In 2022 more than $24 million was lost to phishing scams.
The federal government has proposed a new text message registry to crack down on scams. This registry would act as a ‘blocking list’ for scammers and stop them from impersonating government agencies and trusted brands.
The government asked the Australian Communications and Media Authority to investigate the proposal, which has been successful in stopping scammers in other countries.
These types of scams are known as “sender ID scams”, and they trick people into thinking they are receiving legitimate messages from businesses or the government, such as the ATO, myGov, Australia Post, Linkt or your bank.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said Aussies were losing about $4 billion each year to scams.
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