Criminals are currently spreading fake competitions through various channels. You will be notified either by email, SMS or via a pop-up in the browser that you have supposedly won a smartphone.
To claim your prize, all you have to do is answer a short survey and pay a small amount of money for shipping. Caution: This is a subscription trap.
Don't be happy too early if you are notified of an alleged win by Drei, Magenta, Liwest or A1. Criminals pose as a well-known company and fake a profit in order to lure subscription trap If you have provided your credit card details, criminals will charge you up to 100 euros month after month!
What is behind this competition?
Criminals try to lure you into a subscription trap with the promise of winnings. The scam works like this:
- You will be notified of a win via email, SMS or pop-up on a website.
- You have to follow a link.
- You will be taken to a short survey. As a thank you you will receive the prize.
- You select your prize and pay 1-3 euros for shipping by credit card.
- However, the small print states that when you pay you are taking out a subscription.
- This subscription costs you 85 euros.
- You will NOT receive any winnings
How do I recognize a fake competition?
If you are informed about a win via email or SMS from well-known companies such as A1, Post , Cineplexx , Billa or Magenta, first ask yourself whether you have even taken part in a competition and provided your email address or telephone number . You can be sure that companies will only consider people in a raffle who have actively registered for a competition.
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You can often recognize a fake from spelling and grammatical errors. Also look at the website link, because you are usually not on the real A1, Drei or Magenta page, but on a replica, which exposes the competition as a fake. If it were actually from A1, Drei or Magenta, you would also be on the real company website!
Have you fallen into the trap?
Inform the provider that you have not concluded a subscription contract and request a refund of the debited amounts. You will probably find a reference to contact details on your credit card statement. Search the company listed online.
If this is unsuccessful, contact your credit card company and explain your situation. Request a refund of the debited amounts. Amounts that were debited without your consent (e.g. amounts that were not adequately indicated at the time of purchase or that exceed the value of your order) must be refunded by your payment service provider in accordance with Section 67 of the Payment Services Act 2018.
Also try to block the subscription provider from further charges to your credit card, if possible.
Advice & help:
For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that we have listed for you Advice & Help www.watchlist-internet.at/beratung-hilfe
You might also be interested in: Facebook message requests: Beware of the subscription trap!
Source: Watchlist Internet
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