If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.
Kmart shoppers have been warned after a sophisticated new scam involving air fryers was uncovered last week.
The ruse involves a deceiving post from a page called “Mega Sale” that purports to advertise the Philips 4.1L air fryer for $3 at Kmart stores.
In reality, that model of air fryer retails for $199 at the department chain.
At first glance, the Facebook post looks believable, including an official-looking Kmart price tag that reads: “Philips 4.1L air fryer Black with warranty $3.”
Additionally, the post tells shoppers they have a limited amount of time to snap up the deal because of high demand and the closure of Philips’ warehouse in Russia.
“Due to the closure of their warehouses with household goods in Russia. Philips company makes mega sale on the goods and Philips Air Fryer [is] one of them, promotional price till August 15 only $3,” the caption on the scam post reads.
“Hurry up, freebie will end soon!”
There was a mixed response online as some people identified the post as a scam straight away, however, others bought into it.
One of those who realized what it was tried to warn others in a Kmart shoppers Facebook group.
“Just saw this, please tell friends and family to be careful,” she wrote.
“I know many will look at this photo and see it’s a scam, but there are many people with disabilities or people who are elderly who aren’t as savvy.”
Despite her efforts, one-by-one disappointed shoppers admitted that they had been scammed.
“I fell for it and lost $500 – I pray others don’t do the same,” said one.
Another said: “My elderly mum fell for it, she felt it to me last night. Am now on the phone on the phone to the bank trying to help her.”
PerthNow understands that once an unwitting customer signs up for the air fryer, “Mega Sale” use customer credit card details to make more unauthorized payments.
Shockingly, some users claimed in the comment section that the scam was genuine and they were enjoying the use of their $3 air fryer — likely part of the scam.
“Thought that it was not the original, some kind of fake,” said one.
“But after I printed it out I was pleasantly surprised, it is the original. I advise everyone to take part, and I went to cook my husband dinner!”
This isn’t the first scam involving Kmart products this year. In July scammers claimed Kmart was selling the Nintendo Switch for just $2.95.
The ACCC’s Scamwatch says phishing scams – like this fake Kmart Facebook post – work by fooling consumers into believing they’re dealing with a genuine retailer.
“Phishing messages are designed to look genuine, and often copy the format used by the organization the scammer is pretending to represent, including their branding and logo,” it said.
“They will take you to a fake website that looks like the real deal but has a slightly different address. For example, if the legitimate site is ‘www.realbank.com.au’, the scammer may use an address like ‘www.reallbank.com’.
“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.
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