Scam text messages targeting shoppers and Hamilton businesses have prompted a warning from police.
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Acting Sergeant Paula Cutler, of Hamilton police, said that they had been contacted by members of the public about the scam.
Acting Sergeant Cutler said that while they usually referred people to Scamwatch, this one was alarming because it names Hamilton businesses and uses the phone owner’s real name, making it easier for people to get caught out.
In once case, a Hamilton resident received a text message which used their real name, telling them they had received a gift from the Hamilton ALDI store.
It also contained a link to a website.
Acting Sergeant Cutler said ALDI had been contacted and confirmed the text did not come from the Hamilton store.
Police have also received reports of similar text messages where the phone owner’s name was used and specified the Woolworths and Harvey Norman stores in Hamilton.
Acting Sergeant Cutler warned people not to click on the link to the website contained in the text and, if they were concerned, they should contact the business directly or Scamwatch.
“We know of people who would absolutely click on it,” she said.