Shop 'til you drop…but watch out for scams: How to stay safe this holiday season

As the festive season approaches, shoppers are being urged to stay vigilant while hunting for holiday deals, particularly in the growing realm of online shopping.

With a surge in digital retail activity, experts are warning of an increase in scams targeting unsuspecting consumers.

Fraudsters are taking advantage of the season's busy shopping rush, making it essential for shoppers to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to misleading offers and deceptive websites.

With Christmas getting nearer and nearer, it's important to shop smart and stay informed to protect both your wallet and personal information.


Recent data from WA ScamNet has painted a rather grim picture of the online shopping landscape, revealing that nearly 400 Western Australian shoppers were duped by online scams in 2024.

The figures are staggering, with scammers pocketing a hefty sum of $308,628 from 277 individuals who were lured into fake listings on online marketplaces.

These nefarious actors demanded payment upfront, leaving shoppers with lighter wallets and none of the promised goods.


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WA ScamNet reported that nearly 400 shoppers in WA fell victim to online scams, losing over $308,628 through fake marketplace listings. Credit: Shutterstock


Unfortunately, the deception doesn't end there. Another $172,704 vanished from the accounts of 95 shoppers who thought they were making legitimate purchases from online retailers.

It's a harsh reminder that the digital world, while convenient, can also be a playground for con artists.


Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake has sounded the alarm, cautioning that online shopping scams are expected to spike during the holiday period.

‘Online marketplace scammers create fake profiles or hack existing social media accounts to try to deceive consumers out of their money, personal information and identification documents,’ she warned.

‘Maintaining a healthy scepticism when using these platforms can help keep you safe from scams.’

‘Look into the seller’s marketplace activity and ratings, and do an internet search of their name and photos to see if they belong to someone else.’

‘They will do whatever it takes to gain your trust—from stealing the details and logos of a genuine business to using AI deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities,’ she continued.


Ms Blake also advised shoppers to be cautious of counterfeit websites that impersonate well-known retailers and offer products at unusually low prices, as they often aim to steal personal information.

‘Stay away from websites that only accept payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrencies as it’s nearly impossible to recover funds once sent,’ she suggested.

‘Instead, look for secure payment options like credit cards or PayPal, which offer better protection and allow for chargebacks in case of issues.’

Starting December 2, Christmas shoppers in the Perth metropolitan area will enjoy extended shopping hours with an additional 35 trading days for general retail stores.

Additionally, Sunday and public holiday trading hours will be lengthened by four extra hours each day, offering more opportunities for in-store purchases.


As Christmas approaches, the Consumer Protection Commissioner has warned shoppers about the rise of online scams, urging caution when making purchases from unfamiliar websites.

While many shoppers are gearing up for the festive season by taking advantage of extended retail trading hours, the growing threat of scams continues to impact Australian consumers.

Authorities are especially concerned about gift card scams, which have been on the rise this year, leading to significant losses.

With scammers exploiting the busy shopping period, it's crucial for everyone, especially seniors, to remain vigilant against these deceptive schemes
Key Takeaways
  • WA ScamNet data revealed nearly 400 WA shoppers were victims of online scams, losing over $308,628 through fake listings on online marketplaces.
  • Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake warned that online shopping scams are expected to increase during the holiday period.
  • Shoppers were advised to maintain a healthy scepticism, research seller profiles, and avoid payment through bank transfer or cryptocurrencies due to the difficulty in recovering funds.
  • From December 2, safer in-store purchases are possible with additional trading hours approved for Perth metropolitan general retail stores, including extended Sunday and public holiday trading.
We at the Seniors Discount Club want to hear from you. Have you or someone you know encountered an online shopping scam? What measures do you take to protect yourself while shopping online? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help your fellow members stay scam-free this festive season.
 
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I keep getting told by people that Temu is a scam when i'm living proof that it isn't.
Every single thing iv'e brought from them, and there has been quite a bit, I have received. One parcel went to the wrong address, when the photo came through of my parcel on my doorstep it wasn't my house. Temu were straight onto it and sent out another lot, which I received a few weeks later. They told me if my parcel did end up turning up, which it did the next day, I could keep it as a gift so I sent it to my daughter!
 
I keep getting told by people that Temu is a scam when i'm living proof that it isn't.
Every single thing iv'e brought from them, and there has been quite a bit, I have received. One parcel went to the wrong address, when the photo came through of my parcel on my doorstep it wasn't my house. Temu were straight onto it and sent out another lot, which I received a few weeks later. They told me if my parcel did end up turning up, which it did the next day, I could keep it as a gift so I sent it to my daughter!
they aren't a scam BUT they are a totally computer company and one finds themselves dealing with a robot at all times and a different robot each time you ring frustrating, also once one places an order they keep on asking if you want more and if you do it now starts to complicates things also DONT record your credit card on their site because if you lose the crd ,,,all sorts of problems to talk to a robot about ca drive you insane, still I am a customer ,you just have to know how ton avoid having to talk to robots, dont buy too many items on each order, better to make seperate orders (A day apart) And dont accept any adding after you press proceed on your computer, (ignore offers) or note them for future order but keep it simple their robots are dumb
 
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they aren't a scam BUT they are a totally computer company and one finds themselves dealing with a robot at all times and a different robot each time you ring frustrating, also once one places an order they keep on asking if you want more and if you do it now starts to complicates things also DONT record your credit card on their site because if you lose the crd ,,,all sorts of problems to talk to a robot about ca drive you insane, still I am a customer ,you just have to know how ton avoid having to talk to robots, dont buy too many items on each order, better to make seperate orders (A day apart) And dont accept any adding after you press proceed on your computer, (ignore offers) or note them for future order but keep it simple their robots are dumb
 
they aren't a scam BUT they are a totally computer company and one finds themselves dealing with a robot at all times and a different robot each time you ring frustrating, also once one places an order they keep on asking if you want more and if you do it now starts to complicates things also DONT record your credit card on their site because if you lose the crd ,,,all sorts of problems to talk to a robot about ca drive you insane, still I am a customer ,you just have to know how ton avoid having to talk to robots, dont buy too many items on each order, better to make seperate orders (A day apart) And dont accept any adding after you press proceed on your computer, (ignore offers) or note them for future order but keep it simple their robots are dumb
I have been dealing with them for a while now so I know how it goes, but thank you for the advice :)
I don't fall for the "do you want more" thing unless it's something I really want and iv'e forgotten to add it, and I don't use it on my phone, only on my computer so I don't fall for their games of buy more to save more.
I don't use my credit card, I use After Pay so I can pay it off in smaller instalments, I have been using After Pay for years with my debit card and have never had a problem, or i'll use PayPal which is safer, you can now even use PayPal like you do After Pay, in smaller instalments but I haven't tried that yet.
 

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