AUSTRALIA | The ACCC have reiterated its precaution of online scams, especially for those in more vulnerable positions and in the lead up to Christmas.
Seniors have been warned once again about the dangers of online scams, following damaging statistics that outlined the extent of the issue this year.
Australians reported nearly AUD 260 million in losses to scams in the first nine months of 2025, with the National Anti-Scam Centre warning that online shopping scams are on the rise.
Between January and September 2025, the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service received 159,319 scam reports with financial losses of AUD 259.5 million. This represents a 16 per cent increase in losses and a 20 per cent decrease in reports compared to the same period last year.
As Australians engage with Black Friday sales, shoppers are urged to stay alert for scams disguised as genuine deals. Shopping scams were the most reported scam type involving financial loss so far this year, with 9,628 of the total 19,662 reports received resulting in AUD 8.6 million in losses. This was an increase of 19 per cent in reported losses from the same period in 2024.
“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,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“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.”
Online content, such as fake websites, advertisements, social media, and mobile apps, were the most common method used by scammers for initial contact, resulting in AUD 122 million in losses, or 47 percent of overall scam losses.
Some shopping scams involve the compromise of social media accounts to reach unsuspecting victims. Compromised social media accounts are increasingly used by scammers to target victims’ personal networks, particularly on Facebook and Instagram.
After gaining access, scammers impersonate the account holder to promote scams such as fake ticket sales, ‘fire sales’, grant offers, and investment schemes.
They further compromise friends’ accounts by requesting one-time codes under false pretences, enabling a chain of account takeovers.
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