Watch out for scam surveys and fake gift card offers

“Protect your personal information by verifying whether an offer is legitimate by checking if it is listed on the retailers’ official website or by calling the retailers’ official customer service line.” How these scams work

You receive an email or text message out of the blue, or come across a social media post, claiming that you have been selected to receive or have the chance to win a gift card from a well-known company.

The email, message or post appears legitimate, using brand names and official logos to convince you it’s the real deal.

As with many legitimate offers and online posts, you might be asked to complete a survey or pass on an offer to others before you can claim the gift card or voucher.

Upon completing the survey, forwarding or accepting the offer you will generally be directed to a well-constructed webpage. Here, you will be prompted to provide personal information such as your phone number, address and bank account details.

After handing over your personal information, you may receive a fake gift voucher or, alternatively, receive nothing at all. You may also begin to receive unsolicited emails and phone calls requesting more information that the scammer may use to commit identity theft and other fraud. Protect yourself by

Be alert to unsolicited offers – while some offers may be legitimate sometimes they are scams and can be very difficult to identify – it’s always best to check independently every time.

Verify the offer –always check whether an offer is genuine, even those passed on from people you know. Contact the relevant retailer using contact details you get from a phone book or independent online search.

Report - if you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately.

You can report scams to the ACCC via the Scamwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.