SCAM ALERT. There’s a new scam making the rounds on social media, advertising a Nintendo Switch for just $2.95. Yep – your lucky kids could be indulging in Nintendo gaming fun for under $3.00. Sounds a bit fishy, right?
That’s because it is.
Advertised on the Facebook page, Home Appliances Store, the ‘deal’ states that you can save nearly $375 on a Nintendo Switch thanks to a fall-out between Nintendo and Kmart. To get in on the deal, you’ll have to answer a few questions, the post states.
Hmmm….
Kmart scam costs one person $700
The Kmart scam was then shared on the Markdown Addicts Australia group on Facebook. According to the comments, several people thought it was legit and fell for it.
I mean, things like this DO happen, sometimes. But this time, it was too good to be true.
According to one commenter, a friend lost $700 from it. Apparently how the scam works is that you will need to enter your banking details (RED ALERT, RED ALERT) and then they start taking money directly out of your account.
“Can’t stop it unless u email them and threaten with lawyers,” another wrote.
Others also spoke up to reveal that they too had been fooled by the scam.
“I just wanted to buy my boys one. The problem I now have with people trying to get money from my account.”
Another wrote: “I almost did it until I got to the fine print There it said about taking $54.00 monthly for….. well, I dunno what.”
Too good to be true
In most cases, when something like this comes up on Facebook, it’s going to be too good to be true. The ACCC’s Scamwatch says phishing scams – like this fake Kmart post – work by fooling consumers into believing they’re dealing with a genuine retailer.
In this case, Kmart. Which we all know, love and respect.
Phishing messages are designed to look genuine, and often copy the format used by the organisation the scammer is pretending to represent, including their branding and logo,” the ACCC said.
“If you provide the scammer with your details online or over the phone, they will use them to carry out fraudulent activities, such as using your credit cards and stealing your money.”
Scamwatch encourages consumers to report scams here.
Phishing scams on the rise
Phishing scams are the most common types of online scams out there and impact millions of Australians every year.
In the past, we’ve shared several other scams using companies such as Apple, Woolworths and MyGov, all of which are trusted and reputable companies.
In 2017 there was an incredibly tricky Apple ID pop-up that would ask you to sign into your Apple ID. It looked so real and got a lot of people.
According to ScamWatch, here are some ways to protect yourself from the many online scams out there:
- Be alert to the fact that scams exist
- Know who you’re dealing with
- Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or click on links or attachments in emails – delete them
- Don’t respond to phone calls about your computer asking for remote access – hang up
- Keep your personal details secure
- Keep your mobile devices and computers secure
- Choose your passwords carefully
- Review your privacy and security settings on social media
- Beware of any requests for your details or money
- Be wary of unusual payment requests
- Be careful when shopping online
What to read next
- Urgent Scam Alert: Police Warn Against ‘Can You Hear Me’ Phone Call
- Can You Spot the Fake Pop Up? iPhone Warning Over Apple ID Phishing Scam
- Apple Issues Urgent Safety Warning for ALL iPhone, Mac and iOS Users
