Top 5 scams to avoid this festive season: Assistant Treasurer

While the holidays are a time to relax and celebrate, Stephen Jones MP has urged the Australian public to be on alert for “scammers and fraudsters” targeting unsuspecting consumers in the lead-up to the summer break.

Mr Jones outlined that the holiday shopping rush is a “major opportunity for scammers looking to catch the unwary”, particularly vulnerable members of the public and the elderly.

This warning follows Mr Jones’ address to the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) on the surge of scams and data breaches seen in Australia throughout the year.

The Assistant Treasurer listed the top five scams for people to avoid this holiday period:

1. Online shopping scams

These include fake toy-shop websites posing as a “new” online toy retailer. Mr Jones stated that consumers should only shop with trusted websites and always use secure online payment methods.

2. Delivery or parcel scams

These scams usually send a link via text message to consumers informing them that they have a parcel ready for delivery. Upon pressing the link, the scammers can hack into the consumer’s phone. According to the Assistant Treasurer, these are the most common during busy shopping periods.

3. Unwanted present scams

“Unwanted present for sale” ads are placed by scammers on classified websites over the holiday season, emphasising that consumers should use caution and buy from “reputable online auction sites only”.

4. “Hi Mum” scams

A form of impersonation scam, these claim to be a family member telling the would-be victim that they have lost their phone. Mr Jones stated that communicating by voice call to authenticate these claims is an easy way to combat these scams.

5. Puppy scams

Fake online puppy sales are used by scammers to “break hearts and bank balances”, according to the Assistant Treasurer.

“So‑called phishing scams, which allow scammers to remotely take over phones and personal computers, are the biggest risk at this time of year,” Mr Jones said.

“Australians should also be on the lookout for impersonation scams, where scammers pose as a legitimate business or family member.

“Simple safety techniques like never giving personal details over the phone, and avoiding clicking on suspicious links in text messages or emails, can help keep us all safe.”

The call for vigilance comes as several lenders and brokers have been subject to hack attacks and cyber crime.

Westpac recently issued a warning to Australians to be wary of scammers after it found that there was a 17 per cent increase in fraud-related calls during Black Friday sales this year.

The major bank also published a list of common scams around the holidays, which included charity scams and investment scams.

Suncorp Bank has also warned customers of “spoofing” or impersonation scams after it was confirmed by the non-major bank that the technique is currently being used by scammers to target its customers.

Meanwhile, NAB recently confirmed it was fending off around 50 million scams a month, and issued a warning to brokers to be vigilant. 

[RELATED: Suncorp warns customers of ‘spoofing’ scam]