Scammers target Australians with fake Harvey Norman laptop giveaway

By Soofia Tariq

Fraudulent social media posts are posing as Australian retail giant Harvey Norman. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

What was claimed

Harvey Norman is giving away free laptops to anyone over the age of 25.

Our verdict

False. The claim is a scam.

AAP FACTCHECK - Australian retail giant Harvey Norman is giving away free laptops to anyone aged over 25 due to a sorting centre error, social media posts claim.

This is false. The posts are part of a scam aiming to collect Facebook users’ personal information and financial details.

The claims appear in posts on Facebook featuring stock images of stacks of HP laptops.

“Harvey Norman decided to make a gift HP laptop 15' to everyone over the age of 25 because a batch of laptop (sic) was left without boxes due to an error at the sorting center. Click below to find out how to get your laptop," one caption said

One of the scam posts on Facebook. — Scammers use stock images of laptops to trick users into thinking there's a giveaway.

Similar posts claimed UK retailer Argos was giving away free laptops and Amazon was giving away free iPhones.

The posts linked to fraudulent websites, claiming users had won a giveaway before asking for their personal and banking details.

Harvey Norman warned consumers about posts falsely claiming it was giving away free products.

“Be aware of the increase in scams which fraudulently use the Harvey Norman brand to trick unsuspecting customers into sharing their personal and/or financial details,” the company said in a statement.

“Be on the alert at all times and remember that Harvey Norman will never request your personal or banking details - such as your account or credit card details or password - in unsolicited communications.”

Screenshot of one of the scams. — The scam aims to fleece Australians of their personal and financial details.

The Verdict

False – The claim is inaccurate.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Subscribe to AAPNews

To read this article (and many more) click on the Subscribe button below and gain access to AAPNews.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.

Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

Full Access

AU$10

Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics

Join Now

Student Access

AU$5

Gain access via a verified student email account
Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
Subscription renews each month

Join Now

Annual Access

AU$99

All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
Subscription automatically renews after 12 months

Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE

Download the app