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Coles warns of Facebook scam offering shoppers free groceries

A fake Coles social media page is promising loyal customers free groceries and vouchers for interacting with one of its Facebook posts.

The scammers shared a post this week featuring the supermarket’s CEO Steven Cain, who they falsely attributed to a fake promotion celebrating the retailer’s 106th anniversary.

“Today I have an important announcement for you. To celebrate our 106th anniversary this year, every single person who shares and comments will get one of these Grocery Food Box on 2nd December,” the fake post read.

Front of Coles store as scammers target the retailer.
Scammers are posing as Coles and offering customers benefits. Source: Getty Images

“Each food box contains groceries worth of $85 and a $75 Coles voucher,” it stated.

The post, which follows a similar tactic targeting Woolworths earlier this week, features two stock images of cardboard boxes stacked high and a photo of Mr Cain holding a microphone while wearing a Coles shirt.

How to identify the real Coles Facebook page

Clicking through to the page behind the generous fake promotion reveals a prominent clue that it’s a fake account and not the actual supermarket.

The Coles Inc page not only is not verified by Facebook, meaning it doesn’t have a blue tick, but also has just 149 likes.

The true Facebook page for the supermarket is liked by more than one million people and features a blue tick next to its name.

Scam Facebook post by fake Coles page.
Scammers have shared this fake post posing as Coles. Source: Facebook

Coles and Woolworths both targets of phishing scam

A spokesperson called on social media users to report posts that appear to be fraudulently posing as Coles.

“Coles advises customers to be aware of websites, competitions and other unsolicited promotions that use the Coles Brand without Coles’ permission or which promote Coles Gift cards or free giveaways in an attempt to appear legitimate,” the spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

“We encourage people to report any suspicious Facebook pages to Facebook.”

Woolworths was also targeted by scammers this week, with a similar post claiming to also be from the brand’s CEO, offering free groceries in celebration of its “100th birthday”.

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