The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has warned there’s a Harvey Norman scam making the rounds again, so beware if you receive it on your phone.
The police say the scam comes as a text message and aims to trick consumers into clicking in a dodgy link, with the scammers posing as Aussie retailer Harvey Norman with an offer for deeply discounted products, particularly ridiculously cut-price televisions.
“This afternoon Queenslanders have received a scam text message claiming to be from the retailer,” QPS wrote on its website on Thursday.
Police say the text message contains a ‘click attachment to pick up your package’ link button, and although it isn’t clear what type of malicious content this email links to, they advise recipients to not “click the attachment and delete the text immediately”.
“Users who have then clicked on the link have been shown ‘special deal’ offering Samsung TVs for $4.95,” QPS says, adding “We shouldn’t have to tell you this is a scam”.
It’s not the first time this scam has done the rounds in Australia.
Harvey Norman warned social media users to beware of a similar scam in February, with a message on its Facebook page telling people delete the text straight away.
“Harvey Norman is aware of a current SMS based campaign offering customers free products, particularly televisions, from Harvey Norman franchised stores,” the company said.
The retail giant also urged consumers to “not open the link, delete the message and report the receipt of the message to the ACCC’s [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission] Scamwatch site”.
Scams are everywhere, and scammers are working harding and harder to get their hands on your hard earned money. Last year there were more than 150,000 reported scams in Australia, and victims lost close to $91 million.
For more information, visit the government’s Scamwatch website here.