Scammers are increasingly targeting Australians with phishing scams that impersonate well-known brands such as Coles, Telstra, Optus, and Woolworths. These scams are designed to steal personal and financial information by claiming that recipients’ loyalty reward points are about to expire.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and IDCARE have issued warnings about this surge in phishing activities. Scammers send fake messages urging recipients to click on a link to prevent their loyalty points from expiring. These links lead to fraudulent websites where victims are tricked into entering their personal and financial details.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, individuals are advised to delete any suspicious messages, avoid clicking on unknown links, and refrain from providing personal details to unverified sources. It is recommended to independently verify loyalty program statuses through official channels.
Common signs of phishing scams include suspicious links, incorrect website addresses, messages creating a sense of urgency, and claims of authority from supposed official entities.