Australians warned of Black Friday online shopping scams

Shoppers in Australia are being urged to exercise caution during the upcoming Black Friday sales to prevent falling victim to online scams.

CMTG, a firm offering IT solutions, highlighted that as online shopping increases, so does the risk of online scams. This warning comes in light of data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch, which reported Australian consumers losing over AUD $14.9 million to online shopping scams in the past year.

CMTG's Managing Director, Carl Filpo, emphasised the importance of being alert when engaging in online transactions, especially during the Black Friday sales. "With e-commerce experiencing immense growth over the last few years, everyone needs to take extra precautions when shopping online," Carl said. "Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including going to the extent of creating fake online stores, which are sometimes hard to identify. With thousands of Australians expected to jump online during the Black Friday sales, it's vital shoppers remain alert," he added.

He advised that consumers should prioritise purchasing from trusted websites, avoid interacting with advertisements on social media, and ensure payments are executed through secure methods. "Be wary of unusually low-priced goods and requests for payments upfront, and never hand over your financial information or personal details if you're unsure," Carl advised.

Carl Filpo also warned against the urge to make quick decisions when spotting online deals, saying, "As tempting as it is when you see a bargain online, try not to make quick decisions around your purchases – if you feel there's a sense of urgency for you to buy a product, then it is likely a scam." He pointed out that fraudsters often exploit the festive season, with an increase in travel and parcel delivery scams. "Seasonal scams such as attractive holiday promotions and fake delivery notifications are incredibly common during the Christmas period and Boxing Day sales," Carl explained.

Such scams can lead consumers to make transactions or unknowingly install malware, providing scammers access to personal information. Carl highlighted the necessity of updating cybersecurity measures ahead of large shopping seasons like Black Friday and Christmas to safeguard personal data. "Cyber security must be a priority for all Australians as we enter the festive season," Carl stated. He recommended that all end-user devices, including laptops and smartphones, should be equipped with up-to-date protections like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems.

Filpo urged those lacking modern cybersecurity tools to take immediate action. "For those without the latest cybersecurity protections, now is the time to act—don't wait until the new year to secure your devices, as scammers are increasingly sophisticated, and anyone can be a target," he warned.