Online shoppers beware: Seemingly great deals may not be what they appear
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In today's world, the ease of online shopping has become a part of everyday life, offering unmatched convenience.
However, with this convenience comes hidden risks as deceptive schemes continue to evolve and target unsuspecting consumers.
A recent incident is a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant, recognising warning signs, and taking steps to protect against online fraud.
Bronwyn Hibbs, a 53-year-old Queenslander managing type 1 diabetes for many years, was enticed by a Facebook ad for a 'non-invasive laser glucometer' priced at less than $40.
The device, which claimed to read blood glucose levels using a laser rather than the traditional finger prick method, appeared to be endorsed by Diabetes Australia.
This seemed like a breakthrough for Bronwyn, who was looking for a more convenient way to monitor her condition.
The ad directed her to a website called AussieHaven.shop, which boasted that all its products were made and sold exclusively in Australia.
The site appeared legitimate, and Bronwyn, reassured by the professional look of the website and the promise of a local product, decided to purchase two glucometers for $72.99.
'The outside of the package was what I had ordered,' she said.
'But I opened them up, and it was one of those oximeter things.'
'You can't do anything with [the oximeter] for your blood glucose...it's all lies.'
Instead of the innovative glucometers she was expecting, she found two oximeters, devices used to measure blood oxygen levels and pulse rate but useless for diabetes management.
To add insult to injury, she discovered that $102.67 had been withdrawn from her PayPal account, not the $78.98 she had anticipated.
Bronwyn's attempts to contact AussieHaven for a refund were met with silence.
It was only through persistence and the protection offered by PayPal that she could secure a refund after almost a month of effort.
Unfortunately, many others who fall prey to such scams aren't as lucky and never recover their lost funds.
This scam is part of a more significant, disturbing trend identified by Diabetes Australia.
The organisation's Group CEO, Justine Cain, has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of social media scams targeting Australians living with diabetes.
'We have received a growing number of reports from our community about fraudulent diabetes technology advertising,' she said.
'Some individuals have paid for products that never arrived, while others received devices that provided inaccurate glucose readings, posing a serious, even life-threatening, risk.'
A 2024 Diabetes Australia study found that Australians with the condition spend an average of $4,000 per year, with those who have type 1 diabetes often spending nearly double that of individuals with type 2.
With the rising cost of living, it's no wonder that scammers are exploiting the financial anxieties of those seeking affordable diabetes management solutions.
Bronwyn's story is a stark reminder to always exercise caution when shopping online.
Scamwatch has reported that Australians lost more money to social media scams than any other contact method in 2024.
Despite Bronwyn's report, the fraudulent ads remained active on Facebook for weeks, although they have been removed by Meta, Facebook's parent company.
In hindsight, there were warning signs that Bronwyn missed.
AussieHaven's claim that its products were exclusively Australian-made was contradicted by a return address in Shenzhen, China, and the site's eclectic mix of products should have raised eyebrows.
Additionally, Diabetes Australia confirmed that it does not permit technology companies to use its logo in advertising, a clear indicator of a scam.
If you encounter a suspicious ad or website, don't hesitate to report it to the appropriate authorities and share your experience with our community.
By staying informed and vigilant, we can protect ourselves and each other from falling victim to these deceitful schemes.
Have you or someone you know encountered a similar scam? Share your stories and tips in the comments below to help others stay safe while navigating the world of online shopping.
However, with this convenience comes hidden risks as deceptive schemes continue to evolve and target unsuspecting consumers.
A recent incident is a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant, recognising warning signs, and taking steps to protect against online fraud.
Bronwyn Hibbs, a 53-year-old Queenslander managing type 1 diabetes for many years, was enticed by a Facebook ad for a 'non-invasive laser glucometer' priced at less than $40.
The device, which claimed to read blood glucose levels using a laser rather than the traditional finger prick method, appeared to be endorsed by Diabetes Australia.
A Queensland woman was scammed after receiving oximeters instead of laser glucometers. Credit: Facebook
This seemed like a breakthrough for Bronwyn, who was looking for a more convenient way to monitor her condition.
The ad directed her to a website called AussieHaven.shop, which boasted that all its products were made and sold exclusively in Australia.
The site appeared legitimate, and Bronwyn, reassured by the professional look of the website and the promise of a local product, decided to purchase two glucometers for $72.99.
'The outside of the package was what I had ordered,' she said.
'But I opened them up, and it was one of those oximeter things.'
'You can't do anything with [the oximeter] for your blood glucose...it's all lies.'
Instead of the innovative glucometers she was expecting, she found two oximeters, devices used to measure blood oxygen levels and pulse rate but useless for diabetes management.
To add insult to injury, she discovered that $102.67 had been withdrawn from her PayPal account, not the $78.98 she had anticipated.
Bronwyn's attempts to contact AussieHaven for a refund were met with silence.
It was only through persistence and the protection offered by PayPal that she could secure a refund after almost a month of effort.
Unfortunately, many others who fall prey to such scams aren't as lucky and never recover their lost funds.
This scam is part of a more significant, disturbing trend identified by Diabetes Australia.
The organisation's Group CEO, Justine Cain, has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of social media scams targeting Australians living with diabetes.
'We have received a growing number of reports from our community about fraudulent diabetes technology advertising,' she said.
'Some individuals have paid for products that never arrived, while others received devices that provided inaccurate glucose readings, posing a serious, even life-threatening, risk.'
A 2024 Diabetes Australia study found that Australians with the condition spend an average of $4,000 per year, with those who have type 1 diabetes often spending nearly double that of individuals with type 2.
With the rising cost of living, it's no wonder that scammers are exploiting the financial anxieties of those seeking affordable diabetes management solutions.
Bronwyn's story is a stark reminder to always exercise caution when shopping online.
Scamwatch has reported that Australians lost more money to social media scams than any other contact method in 2024.
Despite Bronwyn's report, the fraudulent ads remained active on Facebook for weeks, although they have been removed by Meta, Facebook's parent company.
In hindsight, there were warning signs that Bronwyn missed.
AussieHaven's claim that its products were exclusively Australian-made was contradicted by a return address in Shenzhen, China, and the site's eclectic mix of products should have raised eyebrows.
Additionally, Diabetes Australia confirmed that it does not permit technology companies to use its logo in advertising, a clear indicator of a scam.
If you encounter a suspicious ad or website, don't hesitate to report it to the appropriate authorities and share your experience with our community.
By staying informed and vigilant, we can protect ourselves and each other from falling victim to these deceitful schemes.
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