Coles, Qantas, and Telstra customers warned of fake text scams

Qantas Frequent Flyer customers are among those being targeted by scammers looking to steal loyalty points, the ACCC has warned.

Scamwatch has received 209 reports in the past four months about text message scams targeting loyalty program members, including Qantas, Coles, and Telstra consumers.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) National Anti-Scam Centre, the fake text messages claim that customers’ loyalty points are expiring in order to trick victims into signing in through a bogus website, and possibly providing credit card details as well. The scammers will then steal loyalty points, login details, and personal information to use in identity fraud.

“The National Anti-Scam Centre has contacted the companies that have been impersonated by scammers and is working with web host providers to have the fake websites taken down, to minimise harm to the community,” said ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe.

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“We are very concerned that Australians experiencing cost-of-living pressures may be more susceptible to these scams. Scammers are deliberately panicking consumers by claiming their points are expiring soon. We urge people to immediately delete or ignore any message regarding a loyalty program that contains a link.”

On its website, Qantas has warned customers to ignore any texts asking customers to log into their frequent flyer accounts and provided a list of examples of phony websites.

“We’re aware that some frequent flyers are receiving SMSs and emails claiming to be from Qantas relating to a bonus Qantas Points offer or Qantas Points expiry. These SMSs and emails contain links which lead to websites which may look like a login page for Qantas Frequent Flyer,” the Flying Kangaroo said.

“These SMSs and emails are not being sent by Qantas. Recipients are advised not to click on any links and to not log into your account from this link. Qantas will never send you an SMS to log into your Frequent Flyer account.”

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.