WARNING: Don't Fall for These Sneaky Online Shopping Scams Targeting Top Brands!
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Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's easy to see why.
The ability to browse through an endless selection of products, compare prices and have items delivered straight to your doorstep is simply unbeatable.
However, with the rise of online shopping comes the rise of fraudulent websites looking to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.
Scammers exploit our love for a good deal, especially when it comes to trusted brands like Peter Alexander, Sportsgirl, and Gorman.
As much as we love the convenience of online shopping, we must protect ourselves from scammers who seek to exploit this convenience.
According to Scamwatch data by the ACCC, over $1 million have been lost to online shopping scams by Aussies this year alone!
![1682580231132.png 1682580231132.png](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/18/18470-1f1fc19bf36f4770bf6b0d5c026d9435.jpg)
The agency warned: ‘Fake online shopping websites can be very convincing!’
‘They may contain a real ABN, fake positive and negative reviews, and even have scam warnings to convince you their site is genuine.’
One of the primary reasons online scams continue to thrive is the uncanny resemblance of the fake websites with the original pages. These fraudulent websites often use the name, logo, and branding of reputable brands.
As a result, it becomes incredibly challenging for shoppers to distinguish between genuine and fake websites.
What’s worse, these websites often display incredibly low-priced items to lure in shoppers, only to take their money – or worse, con them with a counterfeit item – and disappear.
Counterfeit websites typically lure shoppers with discounted prices on popular items, which can be tempting. However, it's essential to remember the age-old adage: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
While you may receive the item you purchased, it's likely to be a fake. Worse still, you may not receive anything at all.
To ensure the security of your online payments, Scamwatch recommends that you only use secure payment services when making purchases online.
Look for a URL that starts with 'https' and a closed padlock symbol in the address bar, or use a trusted payment provider like PayPal.
These measures can help protect your personal and financial information from falling into the wrong hands.
Peter Alexander recently warned customers about fraudulent websites using its name, logo, and imagery and urged them not to purchase from any other website due to the risk of fraud.
In its statement, the brand clarified that the only authorised websites for purchasing genuine Peter Alexander products are peteralexander.com.au and peteralexander.co.nz.
Similarly, Sportsgirl and Gorman have cautioned their customers about scam websites and advised them to only shop for authentic products through their official websites or retail stores.
Sportsgirl emphasised that sportsgirl.com.au is the only platform for purchasing genuine, first-hand products, while Gorman informed customers that its official website is gormanshop.com.au.
It should be noted that customers of another clothing boutique, Dotti, also experienced a similar scam. So, it pays to be extra vigilant when purchasing items online.
So, members, now that we know the sneaky tactics scammers use, let's pass this information along to our friends and family who may not be aware of the risks of online shopping.
By looking out for each other and staying cautious, we can ensure that our online shopping experiences remain enjoyable and worry-free.
Stay safe out there, folks!
The ability to browse through an endless selection of products, compare prices and have items delivered straight to your doorstep is simply unbeatable.
However, with the rise of online shopping comes the rise of fraudulent websites looking to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.
Scammers exploit our love for a good deal, especially when it comes to trusted brands like Peter Alexander, Sportsgirl, and Gorman.
As much as we love the convenience of online shopping, we must protect ourselves from scammers who seek to exploit this convenience.
According to Scamwatch data by the ACCC, over $1 million have been lost to online shopping scams by Aussies this year alone!
![1682580231132.png 1682580231132.png](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/18/18470-1f1fc19bf36f4770bf6b0d5c026d9435.jpg)
Clothing retailers like Peter Alexander are caught up in a scam, and Australians are being warned about fake online shopping sites. Credit: Twitter/ScamWatch.
The agency warned: ‘Fake online shopping websites can be very convincing!’
‘They may contain a real ABN, fake positive and negative reviews, and even have scam warnings to convince you their site is genuine.’
One of the primary reasons online scams continue to thrive is the uncanny resemblance of the fake websites with the original pages. These fraudulent websites often use the name, logo, and branding of reputable brands.
As a result, it becomes incredibly challenging for shoppers to distinguish between genuine and fake websites.
What’s worse, these websites often display incredibly low-priced items to lure in shoppers, only to take their money – or worse, con them with a counterfeit item – and disappear.
Counterfeit websites typically lure shoppers with discounted prices on popular items, which can be tempting. However, it's essential to remember the age-old adage: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
While you may receive the item you purchased, it's likely to be a fake. Worse still, you may not receive anything at all.
To ensure the security of your online payments, Scamwatch recommends that you only use secure payment services when making purchases online.
Look for a URL that starts with 'https' and a closed padlock symbol in the address bar, or use a trusted payment provider like PayPal.
These measures can help protect your personal and financial information from falling into the wrong hands.
Peter Alexander recently warned customers about fraudulent websites using its name, logo, and imagery and urged them not to purchase from any other website due to the risk of fraud.
In its statement, the brand clarified that the only authorised websites for purchasing genuine Peter Alexander products are peteralexander.com.au and peteralexander.co.nz.
Similarly, Sportsgirl and Gorman have cautioned their customers about scam websites and advised them to only shop for authentic products through their official websites or retail stores.
Sportsgirl emphasised that sportsgirl.com.au is the only platform for purchasing genuine, first-hand products, while Gorman informed customers that its official website is gormanshop.com.au.
It should be noted that customers of another clothing boutique, Dotti, also experienced a similar scam. So, it pays to be extra vigilant when purchasing items online.
Key Takeaways
- Online shopping scams have been on the rise, targeting trusted Aussie retail giants such as Peter Alexander, Sportsgirl, and Gorman.
- Over 1 million dollars have been lost to online shopping scams by Aussies this year alone, according to Scamwatch.
- Fraudulent websites often use the name, logo, and branding of reputable brands, making it difficult for shoppers to differentiate between genuine and fake websites.
- To avoid these scams, use secure payment services and shop only through official websites or retail stores of trusted brands.
So, members, now that we know the sneaky tactics scammers use, let's pass this information along to our friends and family who may not be aware of the risks of online shopping.
By looking out for each other and staying cautious, we can ensure that our online shopping experiences remain enjoyable and worry-free.
Stay safe out there, folks!