A warning has been issued about a spam email being distributed that offers consumers a Myer gift card to the tune of $500, but actually contains a computer virus.
The email, which is designed to appear as coming from the “Shoppers Saving Centre”, asks users to fill out a survey for the card.
The Department of Fair Trading says it has received several complaints for users who filled out the survey, but did not receive any gift card. The NSW Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge, said in a statement that the survey is actually a virus.
“This appears to be a phishing scam designed to obtain consumers’ internet provider addresses so that an embedded virus can access their banking details,” she said.
Judge said that any users who receive the email should delete it, and if anyone has concerns to call the Fair Trading Department on 13 32 20.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
