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The deals may come thick and fast during sale season, but so do the risks of scams and fraud – here’s how to beat the bad guys.
Amazon Prime Day is great for those looking for a bargain – we’re not immune ourselves – but it’s also a great time for scammers, who are always on the lookout for victims blinded by the idea of making a huge saving on a big purchase.
But you can protect yourself. Palo Alto Networks’ vice president of marketing in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region, Lisa Sim, has some essential advice to keep scammers at bay.
“Amazon’s annual Prime Day has kicked off, and Australians have eagerly gone online to hunt for the best deal, but shoppers on the hunt for great deals need to be careful that they don’t get scammed in the process,” Sim said.
“Prime Day is not only big for shoppers but also a ‘prime’ moment for scammers looking to target deal-driven consumers. With over 601,000 scam reports made in 2023, up from 507,000 in 2022, according to the ACCC’s latest report, Australian shoppers must be careful that they don’t get scammed in the process.
“It’s important to slow down before clicking on any suspicious links, especially those that arrive unexpectedly with odd details or misspellings. Another thing to watch out for are ads on social media – sometimes, scammers use these platforms to impersonate well-known brands. It’s wise to stay cautious and not be easily swayed by offers that seem too good to be true.”
However, Sim said that consumers need to take steps to protect their personal information.
“Trusted companies will never ask for sensitive details like personal identification information such as driver’s license, passport, or tax file number. And rather than clicking on links for tracking shipments, it’s safer to track packages directly through the official websites. Enhancing your online security by setting up strong passwords and using two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection. And when making purchases online, always stick to the official platform to avoid falling into phishing schemes,” Sim said.
“By following this and reporting any suspicious activity, you protect yourself and contribute to making the internet a safer place for everyone.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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