Online scams

 

 

Scam activity targeting Wesfarmers

Like many organisations, Wesfarmers can be subject to scam activity where cyber criminals attempt to impersonate the Wesfarmers brand, its subsidiaries, and its senior executives and representatives.

These scams are designed to obtain personal, financial or sensitive information, or to solicit payments under false pretences. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant to such scams.

If you are ever unsure whether a communication is legitimate, do not respond. If you would like to verify a piece of communication please contact Wesfarmers here.

Our commitment

Wesfarmers works with regulators, partners and cyber security agencies to identify and disrupt scam activity. We encourage the public to report suspicious communications to help protect the broader community.

Customers, suppliers and members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious communications, websites, social media accounts or payment requests claiming to represent Wesfarmers or its businesses to the scamreport mailbox.

Our businesses are also committed to protecting our customers from scams and work closely with third parties to take action against them. 

How these scams may appear

Scammers may contact you through email, phone calls, SMS, social media or fake websites. These scams often mimic legitimate Wesfarmers branding and messaging which include:

  • Fake investment opportunities or endorsements, including cryptocurrency or trading platforms falsely linked to Wesfarmers or its executives
  • Emails or messages claiming to be from a senior Wesfarmers executive requesting urgent action or confidential information
  • Requests to complete surveys or provide personal information in exchange for prizes or gift cards
  • Fraudulent job advertisements or recruitment communications
  • Offers of “free” products requiring payment for shipping or processing fees
  • Requests to like, share or engage with fraudulent social media pages
  • Phone calls asking you to confirm personal, financial or account information
  • Communications creating a sense of urgency or threatening consequences if immediate action is not taken

These scams are not associated with Wesfarmers or its businesses. Wesfarmers will never request sensitive personal information, banking details or payments through unsolicited communications. 

What Wesfarmers will never do

  • Ask for passwords, banking details or security information via unsolicited contact
  • Request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency or unusual methods
  • Pressure you to act urgently or threaten consequences if you do not comply
  • Ask you to install remote access software
  • Promote or endorse third-party financial or investment products through unofficial channels (such as Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or other platforms) 

Reporting scams

How to protect yourself

  • Be cautious of unexpected communications, particularly those requesting personal or financial information
  • Verify the identity of the sender independently using official contact details
  • Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
  • Do not respond to unsolicited requests for payment or sensitive information
  • Check website URLs carefully for inconsistencies or unusual domains

If you think you have been targeted or affected

  • Record what information you may have shared
  • Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if financial details were provided
  • Change passwords for any potentially compromised accounts
  • Seek support if you have shared identity information such as your driver’s licence or passport
  • Monitor accounts for suspicious activity