It’s that time of the year again...

From Black Friday all the way through to Australia Day, the silly season is almost upon us.

Back in the day, shopping for bargains was all about fighting your way to the front of the queue to grab that coveted pair of pants or shiny new sneaker drop.

Nowadays, we’re more likely to be poised over our smartphones, thumbs ready to pounce on online deals.

We all know online shopping is convenient and quick, as well as giving that instant rush. But it also has its pitfalls. It’s a rich playground for scammers to target unsuspecting customers.

Did you know almost half of all messages sent on Black Friday in 2023 were scams1? That’s way up on the usual level of around 1%.

Here are some easy tips to stay scam-smart during this silly season and enjoy stress-free shopping.

 

12 tips to shop safely online

  1. Avoid clicking suspicious links. Watch out for messages that urge you to click on suspicious links, especially if there’s a sense of urgency involved – urgency is a common trick used by scammers.
  2. Be wary of calls. Exercise particular caution if the caller says they’re from the Fraud team, especially if they go on to ask for personal details. If in doubt, call your bank back through their website and ask for the Fraud Team that way.
  3. Be sceptical of deals. Be cautious of websites that offer massive discounts on popular brands. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  4. Shop on reputable websites. Stick to well-known retailers with a strong online presence.
  5. Keep your software up to date. Regularly update your antivirus software, device operating system, apps, and web browsers to protect against cyber threats.
  6.  Use strong, unique passwords. Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords and change them regularly.
  7. Don’t connect to suspicious wireless networks. Avoid using untrusted Wi-Fi networks, especially in public places.
  8. Educate yourself. Stay informed about common scams and check out ScamWatch for updates on current fraud tactics.
  9. Verify the website. Double-check the URL and look for any typos or inconsistencies.
  10. Watch out for social media. Be wary of deals promoted on social media, especially from unfamiliar or new accounts.
  11. Use secure payment methods. There are dispute resolution processes available for PayPal or your credit card if things go wrong. Here’s a quick guide to shopping securely online.
  12. Check your bank statements. Stay on the lookout for unusual transactions and report them to your bank.  

 

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If the worst happens, don’t panic. If no goods show up or you suspect you've been a victim of a scam, act quickly. Get in touch with your bank and report the incident to ScamWatch.

If you’re an AMP customer and you think your account has been compromised, alert us immediately. Banking customers please call 13 30 30 or email info@ampbanking.com.au. Super & Retirement customers please call 131 267 or email askamp@amp.com.au.

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What you need to know

1 cyberdaily.au. Report: Watch out – scams make up nearly half of all Black Friday spam, 17 Nov 2023

The credit provider for all banking products is AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517. Approval is subject to AMP Bank guidelines. Terms and conditions apply and are available at amp.com.au/bankterms or by calling 13 30 30. Fees and charges are payable.

Any advice and information is provided by AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121 (AWM Services) and is general in nature. It hasn’t taken your financial or personal circumstances into account.

It’s important to consider your particular circumstances and read the relevant product disclosure statement, Target Market Determination or terms and conditions, available from AMP at amp.com.au, or by calling 131 267, before deciding what’s right for you.

You can read our Financial Services Guide online for information about our services, including the fees and other benefits that AMP companies and their representatives may receive in relation to products and services provided to you. You can also ask us for a hardcopy.

All information on this website is subject to change without notice. AWM Services is part of the AMP group.