Spot and Avoid Scams During Christmas and Boxing Day Sales
Online shopping scams are surging as scammers target shoppers during the festive season. Criminals create fake websites that mimic popular brands, offering products at unrealistically low prices and using fake reviews to appear legitimate.
The National Anti-Scam Centre has taken down thousands of scam websites this year, with nearly half of them in the last three months targeting online shoppers. These scams trick buyers into making payments but fail to deliver any products.
To spot scams, look out for unusually low prices, overly positive reviews, missing terms and conditions, and requests for unconventional payment methods like pre-loaded cards or multiple PayIDs. Always research the seller, compare prices, and check for independent reviews before making a purchase.
To stay safe, follow these steps:
- STOP: Verify that the website is genuine and not a new or fake social media store.
- CHECK: Ensure the website has privacy policies, terms and conditions, and secure payment options like PayPal.
- PROTECT: Report suspicious websites to Scamwatch and act quickly if something seems off.
If affected, report the scam and seek support from IDCARE at 1800 595 160. Remember, reporting scams not only helps you but also aids authorities in combating scammers.