How to beat the scammers and enjoy stress-free shopping.
It’s that time of the year again...
From Black Friday all the way through to Australia Day, the silly season is almost upon us.
Back in the day, shopping for bargains was all about fighting your way to the front of the queue to grab that coveted pair of pants or shiny new sneaker drop.
Nowadays, we’re more likely to be poised over our smartphones, thumbs ready to pounce on online deals.
We all know online shopping is convenient and quick, as well as giving that instant rush. But it also has its pitfalls. It’s a rich playground for scammers to target unsuspecting customers.
Did you know almost half of all messages sent on Black Friday in 2023 were scams1? That’s way up on the usual level of around 1%.
Here are some easy tips to stay scam-smart during this silly season and enjoy stress-free shopping.
12 tips to shop safely online
1. Avoid clicking suspicious links. Watch out for messages that urge you to click on suspicious links, especially if there’s a sense of urgency involved – urgency is a common trick used by scammers.
2. Be wary of calls. Exercise particular caution if the caller says they’re from the Fraud team, especially if they go on to ask for personal details. If in doubt, call your bank back through their website and ask for the Fraud Team that way.
3. Be sceptical of deals. Be cautious of websites that offer massive discounts on popular brands. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
4. Shop on reputable websites. Stick to well-known retailers with a strong online presence.
5. Keep your software up to date. Regularly update your antivirus software, device operating system, apps, and web browsers to protect against cyber threats.
6. Use strong, unique passwords. Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords and change them regularly.
7. Don’t connect to suspicious wireless networks. Avoid using untrusted Wi-Fi networks, especially in public places.
8. Educate yourself. Stay informed about common scams and check out ScamWatch for updates on current fraud tactics.
9. Verify the website. Double-check the URL and look for any typos or inconsistencies.
10. Watch out for social media. Be wary of deals promoted on social media, especially from unfamiliar or new accounts.
11. Use secure payment methods. There are dispute resolution processes available for PayPal or your credit card if things go wrong. Here’s a quick guide to shopping securely online.
12. Check your bank statements. Stay on the lookout for unusual transactions and report them to your bank.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If the worst happens, don’t panic. If no goods show up or you suspect you've been a victim of a scam, act quickly. Get in touch with your bank and report the incident to ScamWatch.
Current as at December 2024Source: AMP
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