Coles customers warned over very convincing Mother's Day scam

Question

coles customers have been warned to be wary of a convincing scam circulating on social media ahead of Mother's Day.

Fraudulent Facebook posts are claiming the supermarket chain is running a special promotion for Smeg kettles and advertising them for just $3.

'All women over 30 can get a Smeg kettle. Answer four questions to receive yours,' the post reads. 

Smeg is a high-end Italian home appliance manufacturer and their kettles retail for around $200.




The fake Facebook post reads: 'Coles is running a promotion for Mother's Day! All women over 30 can get a Smeg kettle. Answer four questions to receive yours.'





Coles has confirmed the $3 Smeg kettle Mother's Day promotion is a scam and not linked to the company

The scam uses fake social media accounts of people claiming they had received the kettle.

'Great! This is a great kettle, I would never have believed in such a promotion, delivered very quickly!' one said.

'It arrived in just three days, delivered this morning. I still can't believe it's real. Thank you so much!' another wrote. 

'At first I didn't believe it, KetoXplode Beoordeling but the support confirmed everything. Therefore, already order yourself,' a third chimed in.  

A Coles spokesman confirmed the post was a scam and is not linked to the company in any way.

'Coles advises customers to be aware of websites, competitions and other unsolicited communications that use the Coles brand without Coles' permission or which promote Coles rewards in an attempt to appear legitimate,' he told 7News.

'These offers predominantly attempt to collect your personal details or financial information and Coles will never request personal or banking details in unsolicited communications.

'We encourage people to report any suspicious communication you may have received to the ACCC via their Scamwatch page.'

Coles is not the only company whose brand was used in a scam involving Smeg kettles. 




Smeg is an Italian home appliance manufacturer and their kettles retail for around $200

Consumer electronics chain The Good Guys warned the public of Facebook accounts and websites offering the popular product as a prize in a fake draw.

'These are scams and not associated in any way with The Good Guys,' the company wrote on Facebook.

'Please do not provide these accounts with any personal details.

'Ensure you check for the blue verification tick next to our Facebook page name and only purchase products directly from our stores, website or over the phone 1300 942 765.' 

Mothers' Day falls on May 12 and is a prime target for those operating scams.