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Sales season is just around the corner, and ANZ has some tips to keep consumers safe from scammers.
Everybody loves a good deal, and with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, sales season is truly upon us.
But that also means scammers are on the prowl, looking to take advantage of shoppers hungry for a bargain.
Australian shoppers spent more than $1.46 billion in the 2023 sales period, and this year ANZ is expecting that number to rise by at least six per cent this year, when sales kick off on November 29.
With more than 70 per cent of those sales happening online, scammers will be out in force.
“Scammers often exploit popular shopping events like Black Friday, hoping to take advantage of individuals focused on securing a bargain,” Ruth Talalla, ANZ Scams Portfolio Lead, said in a statement.
“During seasonal sales, we generally see a rise in fake shopping websites or advertisements pretending to be reputable Australian retailers, hoping to entice shoppers with highly discounted prices or incredible deals.”
“We encourage customers to take a moment before making any online purchases, whether during a sale or not, and verify the website to ensure the information is legitimate.”
ANZ has five simple tips to follow to stay safe shopping online this year.
Think before you click – Most retailers and other businesses will not ask for personal or financial information.
Verify the URL – Double-check any links for strange domain names or misspelt brand names.
Read independent reviews – Other shoppers may have fallen victim before you and shared their experiences online. If in doubt, look for reviews of any website before you click ‘buy’.
Check the payment method – If a site is asking for payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency, be very wary. These are the preferred payment methods for most cyber-criminals.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is – Pretty self-explanatory. If the discount is too outrageous, or the price too cheap, that is a red flag. Scammers will often try and prey upon consumers looking for that big saving.
“We encourage customers to take a moment before making any online purchases, whether during a sale or not, and verify the website to ensure the information is legitimate,” Talalla said.
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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