Stay safe

Updated 16 September 2026

Fake Coles and Woolworths voucher texts: how to spot the scam

Scammers impersonate Coles and Woolworths with fake "you have won" texts. Learn the red flags and how to report them to stay safe.

You get a text message saying you have won a $1000 Coles gift card or a $2000 Woolworths prize. You do not remember entering any competition. Should you click the link?

Do not. Scammers are sending fake messages that impersonate Coles and Woolworths, offering prizes that do not exist. They want your personal details, payment information, or login credentials. According to the ACCC's Scamwatch, Australians have already lost more than $1.2 million to unexpected gift and prize scams, and these text messages are increasing.

How the scam works

The text arrives out of the blue. It says something like: "Congratulations. You are our customer of the month. Claim your $1000 Coles gift card here: [link]". Or it claims you have won a big prize with Woolworths. You are asked to click a link and enter your details to claim the reward.

Here is the truth: Coles and Woolworths do not run surprise competitions via text. They are not sending these messages. Scammers are using their names to trick you into visiting a fake website that looks real but is designed to steal your information.

What the scammers are after

Once you click the link, you land on a website that looks almost identical to the real Coles or Woolworths site. It asks for your personal details: your name, email, phone number, or date of birth. It might ask for your bank account, credit card details, or login credentials for your loyalty program. Some versions ask you to pay a small fee to "release" or "unlock" a much larger voucher.

Another common trick targets loyalty program members. You receive a text saying your Everyday Rewards or Flybuys points are about to expire. The message includes a link and creates urgency. When you click it, you are asked to log in to "save your points". That login information goes straight to the scammers.

What to do if you get one

1. Do not click the link. Close the message or delete it.
2. Do not enter any personal details, passwords, or payment information.
3. Do not pay any money, even a small fee.
4. If you are unsure about a real offer from Coles or Woolworths, open their official app or website directly (do not use any link from the text). Log in and check for the offer there.
5. Report the scam text to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. In Australia, you can also forward scam texts to 7726 for free.
6. If you clicked the link or entered any details, contact your bank straight away. Tell them you may have been scammed and ask them to monitor your account.

Genuine savings are different

Real savings come from lower shelf prices you can verify yourself. They do not arrive via surprise texts. They do not require you to pay a fee or hand over sensitive information.

Pinch tracks over 74,000 products across Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, and Harris Farm Markets. You can see actual prices, track them over weeks, and find real savings. Pinch never asks you to pay to unlock a deal. You never have to enter your password or bank details to use it.