Hawkesbury shoppers are being urged to check who they are buying from as Black Friday sales begin, with banks warning that convincing fake websites and social media listings could turn a bargain into an expensive mistake.
The Australian Banking Association says Australians reported losing more than $22 million to buying and selling scams over the past year.
The warning covers fake online stores impersonating established brands, marketplace sellers demanding payment in advance and fraudulent parcel delivery messages seeking personal or banking details.
ABA chief executive Simon Birmingham said the busy shopping period created opportunities for criminals.
“We are headed into a period of heightened shopping activity but unfortunately that also means heightened scam activity,” Mr Birmingham said.
“Black Friday is now one of the busiest shopping times of the year and scammers will be using every trick in the book, hoping to swindle you out of your hard-earned cash.”
He warned that artificial intelligence was helping scammers create convincing imitations of legitimate retailers.
“Criminals are now turning to AI to build fake online stores that mirror legitimate websites, right down to the logos and product photos, and push it straight into your social media feed.”
For residents shopping online for Christmas presents, the warning also extends beyond the purchase itself. Fake texts and emails about missed deliveries can arrive when shoppers are expecting parcels, making them appear plausible.
“Double-check you’re purchasing from a legitimate website and watch out for text messages about missed deliveries, as this is a common way for scammers to get you to hand over personal or financial details,” Mr Birmingham said.
The association says banks are using measures including Confirmation of Payee, payment warnings, delays and tools designed to detect suspicious transactions.
Mr Birmingham urged customers to pay attention when their bank raises a concern.
“If your bank sends you a warning or holds up a payment, take it seriously and remember to always stop, check and protect yourself from scams.”
Anyone who believes they have paid a scammer should contact their bank immediately.
“The sooner your bank knows, the better chance they have of stopping your money ending up in a scammer’s pocket,” he said.
