Eager Black Friday shoppers are being warned to watch out for scams, as a new report confirmed that Australians have lost close to $260 million to online shopping scams this year.
According to data from the National Anti-Scam Centre, the first nine months of the year saw $259.5 million in financial losses stemming from 159,319 scam reports to the organisation’s Scamwatch service.
Of all the reports, shopping scams were the most common. Australians lost $8.6 million to a reported 9,628 shopping scams, up 19 per cent compared to 2024.
In response to the increase in shopping scam losses, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) warned customers to be careful during the Black Friday sales.
“Scammers love Black Friday sales too because they know shoppers are looking for bargains and they rely on creating urgency and pressure that can come with a busy shopping period,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.
“We remind consumers to take their time, check the legitimacy of websites and its offers, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information online. A few simple checks before making a purchase can make all the difference in avoiding a scam and keeping your money safe.”
The ACCC labelled fake online content as one of the most common tricks used by scammers. Tactics like fake apps, websites, and advertisements on social media were found to be responsible for 47 per cent of overall scam losses.
The ACCC urged Australians to hesitate before handing over any personal or financial information. If you suspect a scam, report it to Scamwatch and follow the organisation’s advice. Retailers have also been put on notice by the ACCC to avoid misleading customers with confusing Black Friday advertising.
