Coles, one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, has been hit by a points scam that has left many of its customers feeling deceived. The scam involves customers receiving text messages claiming they have been awarded Coles Reward points, which can be redeemed for discounts on groceries or other products. However, these messages are fraudulent and are not affiliated with Coles in any way.
The Coles Points Scam has been a major concern for many Australians, especially those who regularly shop at Coles. The scam is designed to trick customers into providing their personal and financial information, which can then be used for fraudulent activities. The scam has been particularly effective because it uses Coles’ branding and messaging to make it seem legitimate. Customers who fall for the scam can end up losing a significant amount of money, as well as their personal information.
If you have received a text message claiming to be from Coles Reward points, it is important to be vigilant. Always check the message’s sender and verify its authenticity before providing any personal or financial information. Coles has issued a statement warning customers about the scam and urging them to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to the Coles Points Scam.
The Coles Points Scam
Coles, one of the largest supermarket chains in Australia, has been a victim of a scam involving their reward program, Coles Points. The scam, which began in 2019, involves the fraudulent redemption of Coles Barbecue Points, which are earned by customers through purchases made at Coles supermarkets using Flybuys.
The Fraud With Barbecue Points
The scam starts with a competitive approach by Coles, where they provide one BBQ point on every purchase of $20 using Flybuys. This approach was initiated to attract customers and encourage them to redeem their points for barbeque items. However, scammers took advantage of this offer by using stolen credit card details to purchase items in-store and then redeeming the BBQ points for barbeque items. The scammers then sold the items for a profit, leaving Coles with a loss.
Coles has taken measures to prevent this scam by introducing a new policy that requires customers to present their Flybuys card when redeeming BBQ points for barbeque items. Customers are also required to show ID if they are redeeming more than $50 worth of BBQ points in a single transaction.
Involvement of Credit Cards
The involvement of credit cards in this scam has also been reported. Scammers have been using stolen credit card details to make purchases at Coles supermarkets and earn Flybuys points. They then use these points to redeem BBQ points and follow the same process as mentioned above.
Coles has advised customers to be vigilant when it comes to their personal and financial information. They have also reminded customers that they will never request personal or banking details in unsolicited communications and legitimate Coles emails will always come from a Coles email address.
In conclusion, the Coles Points scam is a reminder to all customers to be cautious when it comes to their personal and financial information. Coles has taken measures to prevent this scam, but it is up to customers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim to Coles Points Scam, consumers in Australia should take the following measures:
- Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages that ask for personal information or offer rewards that seem too good to be true.
- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources. These may contain malware that could compromise your device’s security.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Coles, contact the company’s customer care team at 1800 061 562 to verify its authenticity.
- Report any scams or fraudulent activity to the Australian Taxation Office or Scamwatch.
By following these simple steps, consumers can protect themselves from falling prey to Coles Points Scam and other similar scams.
