I'm usually awesome at spotting a scam, so please, let me elaborate.

Last weekend, I received a text message on my phone from Woolworths, congratulating me on winning a $500 Woolworths Giftcard as part of their Customer of the Month program.

You might think this alone screams "SCAM, SCAM, you idiot! Burn your phone!"

But I've previously ordered groceries online from Woolies and, as it happens, this SMS was from the same sender.

Scammers can't hack and commandeer a phone number, can they?

I thought it was possible, but wait, there's more...

By coincidence (or not), I had only recently filled-out one of those Woolworths experience surverys. "Tell us what you think for a chance to win a $100 WISH Gift Card."

I thought if I submitted an extraordinary amount of detail and helpful feedback, I may be rewarded with a "randomly chosen" prize. Wink wink

So I filled that survey like a champion.

I commented on the cleanliness of the store, the selection of products, the layout, the architecture, the feng shui and the spiritual energy.

So when I received the text message congratulating on winning not $100 but $500, I thought, "Yes, that makes sense. They have rewarded me for my extra effort. My feedback has stood out amongst that of the peasants. Huzzah!"

I ran upstairs to show my girlfriend this wonderful boon.


She was happy for me, but lamented that she has never won such a prize. "I fill out those things all the time too!" she said.

But my feedback was really awesome. She did not understand.

I strutted downstairs like a South Korean kid walking in on a BBC interview – like a boss.

Moments later: "Honey!" my girlfriend called out. "That's a scam."

"No, it's not." I explained my rationale for believing it's legit. I described my stupendous feedback.

She gave me that oh-dear-I-feel-sorry-for-you look. Yeah, you know that look.

I finally clicked the link.

Fuck. It was a scam.

Day ruined.

This is what the dodgy link led to. I want my $500 gift card, Woolworths!

I should've known the SMS was a scam by the spelling of giftcard (rather than gift card).

Have you been scammed when you should've known better? Have a whinge in the comments below.