Woolworths speaks out about SMS scam
JOHANNESBURG – It appears that an SMS that is currently circulating and claims to give subscribers the chance to win a R6 500 Woolworths gift card is a scam.
UPDATE: 10 July 2015, 12:30pm – A Woolworths spokesperson has addressed the supposed ‘Customer Satisfaction Survey’ that was being sent out via a number of social media platforms, under the branch’s name.
The following statement was sent out by Woolworths.
“We have been made aware of a ‘Customer Satisfaction Survey’ offering a Woolworths gift card as a giveaway for completing the survey. This ‘survey’ is not authorised by Woolworths. Please disregard it.”
Initial report: 6 July 2015, 13:45pm – Many people have claimed to have received the SMS, which prompts people to complete a bizarrely questioned survey. After completing the series of questions, you are directed to a page that encourages you to ‘share’ the message with 10 friends via the popular messaging app, WhatsApp.
You then need to fill in shipping details and your cellphone number to win. However, on closer inspection, the subscription costs a whopping R7 a day.
@WOOLWORTHS_SA are u aware of this sham??? pic.twitter.com/eXzW9LGws8
— Inge (@earth2inge) July 6, 2015
@WOOLWORTHS_SA hey guys! This must be a scam right? pic.twitter.com/XX2lx1S0WT
— Maajidah (@Maajidah) July 5, 2015
@WOOLWORTHS_SA a competition doing rounds going out as woolworths https://t.co/us3ETbn0R9 please click to see. I think it's a big scam.
— NothandoMathe-Mokone (@NothandoMokone) July 5, 2015
Many people that have received the message quickly tweeted Woolworths South Africa to check whether the store was in fact associated with the SMS.
Woolworths South Africa quickly confirmed that the survey was not associated with the brand and that they were investigating the matter.
Hi @ingeolivier. Yes we are. This survey is not authorised by Woolworths. We are investigating it. Thanks.
— Woolworths SA (@WOOLWORTHS_SA) July 6, 2015
@CityBuzzJHB This survey is not authorised by Woolworths. We are investigating it. Thanks.
— Woolworths SA (@WOOLWORTHS_SA) July 6, 2015
This is a developing story and more information will be published when it becomes available.
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