Officials are warning about a scam text message which claims people have won a giveaway from electrical retailer Harvey Norman.
The message reads: "We tried to contact (name). The Harvey Norman giveaway winners are..."
It links to a website.
Scam watchdog Scamwatch told anybody who was sent the text to delete it.
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https://twitter.com/Scamwatch_gov/status/1409337205126950916?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwA similar scam was circulating earlier this year via email.
The email, which appears to be sent from a head of customer service at Harvey Norman, tells the potential victim that they have won a prize and Harvey Norman is attempting to make contact.
It even alludes to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming the prize entry may have "been lost in the corona stress of recent months".
The email then asks recipients to confirm their ID to claim the prize, including their preferred delivery address.
Online watchdog Swamwatch circulated a copy of the scam email, warning recipients to delete it if they receive it.
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Earlier this month Scamwatch revealed scams had reached record heights during the pandemic.
Australians lost over $851 million to scams in 2020.
The report, which compiles data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, other government agencies and 10 banks and financial intermediaries, and is based on more than 444,000 reports.
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Investment scams accounted for the biggest losses, with $328 million, and made up more than a third of total losses. Romance scams were the next biggest category, costing Australians $131 million, while payment redirection scams resulted in $128 million of losses.
"Last year, scam victims reported the biggest losses we have seen, but worse, we expect the real losses will be even higher, as many people don't report these scams," ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
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"Unfortunately scammers continue to become more sophisticated and last year used the COVID-19 pandemic to scam and take advantage of people from all walks of life during this crisis."
