Avoid heartbreaking holiday scams: Why you should never click that blue link!
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The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and unfortunately, a rise in online scams.
As Christmas shoppers flock to the internet in search of the perfect gifts, cybercriminals are lurking, ready to exploit their generosity and trust.
This year, Australians have been warned to be extra vigilant, as impersonation scams are on the rise, with fake websites masquerading as genuine online stores for well-known brands.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that Australians have already lost millions to online shopping scams this year.
'Scammers are heartless criminals and take advantage of the generosity and trust of people—we encourage everyone to educate themselves and remain vigilant,' he said.
According to data from the consumer watchdog Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), over 70 per cent of the nearly 235,000 scams reported between 1 January and the end of September were impersonation scams. These scams have cost Australians a staggering $92 million this year alone.
So, how can you protect yourself from falling victim to these scams?
Jones advised shoppers to be wary of popular products sold for much lower than normal prices, websites missing standard information like a 'contact us' or 'terms and conditions' page, reviews with high ratings but little detail, and sellers asking for payments via direct bank transfer.
Other common scams during the holiday period include being asked to update delivery details or arrange parcel collections via a link, fake toll payment notices, and fake classified ads that trick people into buying non-existent products, such as requesting a down payment for a puppy.
ACCC data showed that most scammers contacted victims via text messages, phone calls, and online.
Jones emphasised the importance of not clicking on suspicious links.
'The top tip I always say to people is: don’t click the blue link,' Jones said.
The federal government is taking steps to protect Australians against scammers. It opened consultation this month on new industry codes that would require businesses, including banks and companies with digital platforms, to address scams.
In other news, major Australian banks have taken a proactive step to protect their customers from scams. The Australian Banking Association (ABA) said community-owned banks, credit unions, and commercial banks ‘joined forces’ with the Scam-Safe Accord.
This agreement was a $100 million overhaul of online payment systems aimed at improving the safety of transactions and protecting the public from fraudulent activities.
Several security systems were updated with the Scam-Safe Accord. Learn more about it here.
Members, if you think you or someone else you know may have been scammed, please report them to the ACCC here or call 000 immediately for emergency cases.
Have you or someone you know been a victim of an online scam? Share them with us in the comments below.
As Christmas shoppers flock to the internet in search of the perfect gifts, cybercriminals are lurking, ready to exploit their generosity and trust.
This year, Australians have been warned to be extra vigilant, as impersonation scams are on the rise, with fake websites masquerading as genuine online stores for well-known brands.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that Australians have already lost millions to online shopping scams this year.
'Scammers are heartless criminals and take advantage of the generosity and trust of people—we encourage everyone to educate themselves and remain vigilant,' he said.
Online shoppers have been warned to be careful when clicking links online. Credit: Unsplash
According to data from the consumer watchdog Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), over 70 per cent of the nearly 235,000 scams reported between 1 January and the end of September were impersonation scams. These scams have cost Australians a staggering $92 million this year alone.
So, how can you protect yourself from falling victim to these scams?
Jones advised shoppers to be wary of popular products sold for much lower than normal prices, websites missing standard information like a 'contact us' or 'terms and conditions' page, reviews with high ratings but little detail, and sellers asking for payments via direct bank transfer.
Other common scams during the holiday period include being asked to update delivery details or arrange parcel collections via a link, fake toll payment notices, and fake classified ads that trick people into buying non-existent products, such as requesting a down payment for a puppy.
ACCC data showed that most scammers contacted victims via text messages, phone calls, and online.
Jones emphasised the importance of not clicking on suspicious links.
'The top tip I always say to people is: don’t click the blue link,' Jones said.
The federal government is taking steps to protect Australians against scammers. It opened consultation this month on new industry codes that would require businesses, including banks and companies with digital platforms, to address scams.
In other news, major Australian banks have taken a proactive step to protect their customers from scams. The Australian Banking Association (ABA) said community-owned banks, credit unions, and commercial banks ‘joined forces’ with the Scam-Safe Accord.
This agreement was a $100 million overhaul of online payment systems aimed at improving the safety of transactions and protecting the public from fraudulent activities.
Several security systems were updated with the Scam-Safe Accord. Learn more about it here.
Have you or someone you know been a victim of an online scam? Share them with us in the comments below.
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