Kmart issues urgent warning over Facebook scam
Kmart has issued a warning for customers to be on the lookout for a new scam being perpetuated in a fake post using its name on Facebook.
In the post, the author claims Kmart will be selling the Nintendo Switch game console for $2.95 due to a contract breakdown with Nintendo. The console usually retails for between $380 and $450.
The post says in order to claim one of the consoles, they must click the post and enter their details, including bank details to make the purchase.
Once the scammers have those details, they begin draining your bank account.
One user on the Seniors Discount Club forum says her friend has had around $700 taken under the scam.
“Do not fall for it,” the user wrote.
“My friend did and has lost around $700. They just keep taking from your bank. Can’t stop it unless you email and threaten them with lawyers.”
If the deal seems too good to be true, then it often is.
Our Australian numbers are so huge ... obviously many have no idea how to deal with scamming, for example:
From government's ScamWatch site.
Scam statistics show that since the beginning of 2022, Aussies have reportedly lost over $72 million to scams. In 2021, Aussies lost $178 million in investment scams. Of the total 286,607 scam reports in Australia in 2021, 71,299 were filed about phishing scams. Source.
Australians lost more than $38 million in scams during February 2022. The most prevalent scam involves investments through which more than $27,700,000 has been lost. Australians lost a total of $323 million in 2021. Source.
There are a lot of scams on Facebook, too many. I've seen one purporting to be David Jones offering Kitchen Aid mixers for $79.95. Contacted D/Jones and they said they were aware of the scam. Yet other scammers offer Breville coffee machines for $99.95, and use a supposedly local mobile number. Crazy stuff! Most sane people know you cant buy these items at such outrageously cheap prices. I think it was P T Barnum who said "there's a sucker born every minute", so make doubly sure you're not one of them.