False Competition scams have been around for quite some time. South Africans have been subjected to all forms of competition scams over the years. By now, most of you are experts at picking out the real competitions from the false competitions.
Most competition scammers use SMS or E-mail to promote these false competitions to prowl on unsuspecting victims. When you receive a competition SMS and E-mail it is always a good idea for you to confirm whether this competition is the real deal before you respond to the SMS or E-mail.
Lately con artists have been targeting Junk Mail users via e-mail with a series of fake competition mails. The e-mail claims that the Junk Mail advertiser has won a prize in a Junk Mail competition. Once you click on the address you are directed to another web page to claim ‘your prize.’ In some cases users receive an e-mail that looks like it comes from someone working at Junk Mail (the e-mail being sent out is from a jmclassifieds@junkmail.co.za e-mail address) but it’s in fact being sent from a different e-mail address. Check out a screenshot of the response being sent below:
The Junk Mail Team would like to let you know what our official policy is when it comes to Junk Mail competitions. These tips will arm you with the tools to defend yourselves against the false competition con artists that are out there.
When Junk Mail is running a competition:
- All Junk Mail competitions are announced on the Junk Mail Blog in our competitions section
- Notification of all Junk Mail competitions are sent out via the Junk Mail Weekly Newsletter (from the webmaster@junkmail.co.za e-mail address)
- Notifications of all Junk Mail competitions and winners will be posted on The Junk Mail Classifieds, Junk Mail Pretoria, Junk Mail Johannesburg, Junk Mail Cape Town or Junk Mail Kwazulu Natal Facebook pages
- Entrants are not required to pay money to enter any Junk Mail competitions
- Competition Winners are not notified via a response e-mail on their adverts
- Competition Winners are not notified via SMS
Remember: If something sounds to good to be true, its usually is a scam. If you’re unsure if something is legit, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Use the above guidelines to determine if someone is trying to scam you and get your personal details and have instant access to your hard earned money.
If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be a representative from Junk Mail, check our competition guidelines and confirm whether the competition is legit. Forward the e-mail your received and report them to our Customer Care Department. If you receive a suspicious phone call, e-mail or SMS from someone claiming to be a representative of Junk Mail you are also welcome to report it to us telephonically on 012-3423840 x2295 (during office hours).
Feel free to check out the Safety & Security page on the Junk Mail blog for more information about the various scams that are doing there rounds out and make sure you don’t become a victim to a false competition scam.
You can also read the below posts on the Junk Mail Blog to become more informed about the latest scams in the marketplace:
