NSW Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin today warned consumers of a current scam advising people by text message that they have won a major Nokia promotion.

Mr Griffin said people had reported receiving a text message stating their phone number had been awarded 510,000 pounds in a nokia-asia promotion.

“The text message advises claims on the prize should be sent to a particular email address or by ringing an overseas telephone number,” he said.

Mr Griffin said consumers should ignore the text message and delete it from their phones.

He said Nokia confirmed it had not initiated any such campaign.

“This is just another way of trying to get you to part with your money,” Mr Griffin said.

“You could finish up losing a lot of money, rather than winning the prize money offered.

“These lottery or competition scams are delivered in a number of ways – sometimes by a telephone call, through the post or via an email or text message.

“The scammer tells you that you have won a substantial prize or sum of money and that you should send money to process the prize.

“Often you will be asked for banking details and personal details so they can transfer the prize money directly into your account.”

Mr Griffin said this was just a ploy to get your bank or credit union details and raid your account.

“Never give your banking details to anybody you are not entirely sure of and report these types of scams to SCAMwatch on 1300 795 995 or NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20,” he said.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s website www.scamwatch.com.au has the latest information on scams.

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