This mail scratchie scam is targeting you
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning seniors to be on high alert, regarding a mail scratchie scam that’s traced back to Malaysia.
The scam involves a brochure from a fake travel company called Sweet Summer Tour, which contains two scratchies that are allegedly part of a promotion to celebrate the company’s 13 year anniversary as a business.
The company lists a variety of well-known brands as “official partners” in the competition including the likes of IT giant Seagate and TripAdvisor, but the ACCC is urging seniors not to be fooled by the fact that packaging features legitimate logos.
Seagate and TripAdvisor have been quick to distance themselves.
A spokeswoman for TripAdvisor said: “TripAdvisor has no association to Sweet Summer Tour whatsoever and is not part of this promotion.”
A spokeswoman for Seagate also conferment the company wasn’t affiliated with Sweet Summer Tour and said the IT firm was considering legal action:
“Seagate is not involved now, and has never had any involvement, in any capacity, with Sweet Summer Tour. Their use of our name and logo is not authorised. We are considering appropriate action against Sweet Summer Tour to prevent any further insinuation that we are a partner.”
The ACCC website reiterated the warnings about scratchie scams, saying it is one of the most common tricks in the arsenal of con artists around the world.
“Scratchie scams take the form of fake scratchie cards that promise some sort of prize, on the condition that the ‘winner’ pays a collection fee,” it states.
If you feel you’ve been victim to a scam and would like to report it, or simply want more information, you can visit the ACCC’s Scamwatch website here.
Have you ever fallen victim to a scam?