With Black Friday just around the corner, Australians are urged to stay vigilant as scammers ramp up efforts to exploit the busy shopping season. According to Norton’s Asia-Pacific MD, Mark Gorrie, heightened online shopping activity increases risks, with scams such as fake retail sites, counterfeit gift cards, phishing emails, and fraudulent links on social media becoming more prevalent. Alarmingly, one in 16 shoppers admit to taking risks to secure bargains.
CommBank’s chief behavioural scientist, Will Mailer, advises consumers to slow down and verify messages before acting, particularly during high-risk times like the holidays. He recommends simple rules, such as pausing for a moment before making decisions.
Lynn Kraus, CEO of Australian Payments Plus, highlights scams misusing trusted names like PayID, urging shoppers to be cautious and recognize the signs of fraudulent activity. She emphasizes the importance of secure transactions and avoiding offers that seem too good to be true.
Tips to stay safe include using secure payment methods, avoiding public Wi-Fi, and not storing payment details on websites. Consumers are encouraged to remain cautious, with scammers increasingly targeting unsuspecting shoppers through malicious social media ads and phishing schemes.
To learn more about staying safe this Black Friday, read the full article in The Australian.
