Urgent warning for Mother's Day shoppers: Phishing attacks on the rise, experts warn
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With Mother's Day fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to show the special women in our lives how much we appreciate them - whether they are our mothers, partners, wives, daughters, sisters, or another loved one who has played a maternal role in our lives.
As we start thinking about the perfect gift to show our appreciation, many of us will turn to online stores to purchase something special.
However, there’s an urgent warning for online shoppers who are yet to purchase their gifts…
According to experts, phishing attacks across the country have seen a startling 40 per cent rise compared with this time last year - leaving shoppers vulnerable to being scammed.
ACCC Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake urges online shoppers to take necessary precautions ahead of Mother’s Day to avoid falling victim to a scam.
'It’s great to be able to purchase thoughtful gifts so easily, but people need to take steps to keep themselves safe from scams, including fake websites,' Blake said.
'Fake sites can look very convincing. Please don’t trust a site just because you’ve seen it advertised or shared on social media.’
'The best way to detect a fake trader or online shopping scam is to search for independent reviews before purchasing. Other warning signs include very low prices and unusual payment options such as money order or wire transfer.'
Folks, please keep in mind that any purchases made online are subject to the same automatic consumer guarantees when buying in-store. For example, you can get a remedy if a product is faulty, or if you receive the wrong item.
Blake stressed: ‘Consumer rights apply whether buying online or in-store.’
It’s important to check the trader’s returns and refund policies for further information. This information can provide further assurance and protection if the item needs to be returned or exchanged.
Additionally, gift cards have become a popular option for presents. However, it's essential to review the terms and conditions of the card before purchasing to ensure that it aligns with the recipient's preferences.
Most gift cards have a minimum three-year expiry period, and the expiration date should be prominently displayed on the card or voucher.
We also encourage you to check out this article where we shared about how a ‘gift card’ scam is targeting unsuspecting customers.
Meanwhile, Avast cybersecurity expert Stephen Kho warned that Australia was in the midst of a 'scamdemic' - a disconnect between Australians’ perceived confidence in their ability to spot a scam and the increasing amount of money being lost to scammers every year.
He noted: ‘In reality, this is being further fuelled by our own fear of embarrassment, with half of Australians admitting they would feel embarrassed if they fell for a scam despite the prevalence and sophistication of some of these scams, as scammers get sharper with their tools and scams become increasingly more targeted to individuals’ situations.’
Kho also shared some tips on how to spot a scammer:
Please remember that if any of these attributes relating to unfamiliar offers and sales doesn't look quite right to you, you are likely being targeted by scammers.
We wish all of our members a safe and scam-free Mother's Day, whether you're shopping online or in-store.
If you do experience something suspicious, please do not hesitate to report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission via the Report A Scam page, and also share it on our Scam Watch forum to warn others of the scam.
Also, feel free to share this article with your friends and loved ones so they stay on top of this scheme as well!
As we start thinking about the perfect gift to show our appreciation, many of us will turn to online stores to purchase something special.
However, there’s an urgent warning for online shoppers who are yet to purchase their gifts…
According to experts, phishing attacks across the country have seen a startling 40 per cent rise compared with this time last year - leaving shoppers vulnerable to being scammed.
ACCC Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake urges online shoppers to take necessary precautions ahead of Mother’s Day to avoid falling victim to a scam.
Online shoppers in Australia are being cautioned to be on the lookout for scams while shopping for special Mother's Day gifts.Credit: Shutterstock.
'It’s great to be able to purchase thoughtful gifts so easily, but people need to take steps to keep themselves safe from scams, including fake websites,' Blake said.
'Fake sites can look very convincing. Please don’t trust a site just because you’ve seen it advertised or shared on social media.’
'The best way to detect a fake trader or online shopping scam is to search for independent reviews before purchasing. Other warning signs include very low prices and unusual payment options such as money order or wire transfer.'
Folks, please keep in mind that any purchases made online are subject to the same automatic consumer guarantees when buying in-store. For example, you can get a remedy if a product is faulty, or if you receive the wrong item.
Blake stressed: ‘Consumer rights apply whether buying online or in-store.’
It’s important to check the trader’s returns and refund policies for further information. This information can provide further assurance and protection if the item needs to be returned or exchanged.
Additionally, gift cards have become a popular option for presents. However, it's essential to review the terms and conditions of the card before purchasing to ensure that it aligns with the recipient's preferences.
Most gift cards have a minimum three-year expiry period, and the expiration date should be prominently displayed on the card or voucher.
We also encourage you to check out this article where we shared about how a ‘gift card’ scam is targeting unsuspecting customers.
Meanwhile, Avast cybersecurity expert Stephen Kho warned that Australia was in the midst of a 'scamdemic' - a disconnect between Australians’ perceived confidence in their ability to spot a scam and the increasing amount of money being lost to scammers every year.
He noted: ‘In reality, this is being further fuelled by our own fear of embarrassment, with half of Australians admitting they would feel embarrassed if they fell for a scam despite the prevalence and sophistication of some of these scams, as scammers get sharper with their tools and scams become increasingly more targeted to individuals’ situations.’
Kho also shared some tips on how to spot a scammer:
Tell-tale signs of a scammer. Credit: Seniors Discount Club.
Please remember that if any of these attributes relating to unfamiliar offers and sales doesn't look quite right to you, you are likely being targeted by scammers.
We wish all of our members a safe and scam-free Mother's Day, whether you're shopping online or in-store.
If you do experience something suspicious, please do not hesitate to report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission via the Report A Scam page, and also share it on our Scam Watch forum to warn others of the scam.
Also, feel free to share this article with your friends and loved ones so they stay on top of this scheme as well!
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