It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for scammers, as Australian shoppers gear up to spend more than $35 billion on retail trade in December 2024.
With Bendigo Bank customers alone expected to increase their spending by 5% over the busy period1, Head of Customer and Threat Protection, Jason Gordon, has delivered a timely reminder on the importance of staying safe while shopping for loved ones.
“With the expected increase in spending over the festive season, it’s crucial for shoppers to remain vigilant against potential scams,” Mr Gordon said.
“Most of us are doing at least some of that shopping online, with eight out of ten Australian households shopping online in 2023, it pays to be extra scam aware,” he said.
Bendigo Bank customers expecting to be online and spending more this festive season should be on the look-out for scammers trying to target unsuspecting shoppers. Australia’s most trusted bank’s top three tips to stay scam-safe this festive season are:
1. Don’t get caught by phishing emails
More than 80,000 phishing scams have been reported to Scamwatch so far this year. The holidays are a busy time, and scams catch us out when our guard is down - particularly phishing scams. Look out for unsolicited emails, messages, or calls requesting personal or financial information. At this time of year, these could look like missing or undelivered parcel emails or texts. Always verify the legitimacy of the communication with the people or business sending them before sharing any sensitive data. Never share your passwords!
2. Look out for fake online shopping sites
Scammers may set up fake online storefronts selling desirable items at attractive prices, enticing Christmas shoppers to make payments to snap up the deal. Unfortunately, these stores usually sell fake products or simply sell nothing at all. Scammers are known to forge legitimacy by promoting their stores on social media, only to disappear a few weeks later and never deliver on sales or provide refunds.
To avoid falling victim, do thorough research into companies you don’t recognise. Search their ABN, check for reviews online, and search for scam alerts on Scamwatch if something doesn’t feel right.
3. Be wary of impersonation scams
With more money being spent at this time of year, scammers might try to impersonate trusted organisations, with criminals often posing as cyber security or fraud specialists from banks. And because it’s also a time of giving, scammers may also see this as an opportunity to target people's generosity with charity scams.
Texts, emails and websites may pose as people or organisations you trust.
Australians lost an estimated $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, including impersonation scams, so if you’re not sure, hang up, don’t reply, or don’t engage.
With these tips, customers can have a safe and happy Christmas shopping experience online and avoid being scammed. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank stopped $34.4 million in fraudulent transactions last year, but by working together with customers, Mr Gordon says the incidence of scams and fraud can be reduced even further.
Mr Gordon’s advice to customers who may have fallen victim to a scam is to visit bendigobank.com.au/security immediately to report it and get support.
Bendigo Bank recommends stopping scammers in their tracks by following Scamwatch’s advice:
1. STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure
Scammers will offer to help you or ask you to verify who you are. They will pretend to be from organisations you know and trust like Services Australia, police, government, or a fraud service.
2. THINK – Ask yourself could the message or call be fake?
Never click a link in a message. Only contact us, businesses or government using contact information from their official website or through their secure apps. If you’re not sure, say no, hang up or delete.
3. PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong
If you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gets your money or information, visit bendigobank.com.au/security to report it and get support.
