Harris Scarfe, an Australian retail chain known for discounted homewares, kitchenware, and apparel, has recently been targeted by scammers. These scam texts were timed to align with the brand’s “Friends 4 Day Sale,” making them appear more convincing. This tactic has been picked up by scammers more recently making it hard to determine if a text is legitimate. One of the simplest ways to spot a scam is by checking the link before clicking—be cautious of shortened URLs like bit.ly/example or links containing random characters or strange wording. If something looks off, take a moment to verify the link’s legitimacy before engaging.

Scammers are also impersonating health insurers with beat the price hike notifications. These messages look almost identical to legitimate ads and often include a link to a fake website designed to steal personal details like your bank account or identity. If you get an unexpected text about your insurance, contact your provider directly, most insurance providers will reach out to you via email. Even so, always be sceptical and never click any links you aren’t certain about.

The newest edition to our list is Chinese clothing manufacturer Shien. Scammers have recently been posing as Shein with fake delivery updates, attempting to catch unsuspecting shoppers out. These texts have been seen to include links to phishing sites that steal personal or payment details. It can be difficult to navigate Shien texts as the company does send its customers updates via SMS. If you haven’t ordered recently or have found a message that feels off, it’s best to delete it—Shein won’t text you out of the blue with suspicious links.