Product and service scams
Scammers can pose as buyers or sellers to steal your money. They can also pose as businesses that you know and trust. They will do things like set up fake websites or profiles on actual retailer sites, post fake ads and fake reviews.
Online shopping scams
Fake online stores, suspicious posts on online auction sites, and dodgy online marketplace ads are some of the most common online shopping scams. Scammers often create websites that impersonate well-known online stores. These websites will look very similar to the real store's website and may advertise the same products at significantly lower prices. They also often charge you through unusual payment methods such as:
- Money orders
- Direct electronic funds transfers or deposits
- Buying gift cards as payment
- Paying with digital currencies such as Bitcoin.
What to watch out for when shopping online
Some important things to look for to check the legitimacy of the site you're purchasing from include:
- Comments and reviews from buyers found through a search engine or external review site can help you ensure its authenticity
- Web addresses that begin with ‘https://’ and show a locked padlock symbol
- If the company has complete and verifiable contact details and return policy.
Finally, if the deal seems just too good to be true, then unfortunately it probably is.
If you want to learn more about staying safe while online shopping, complete our short and free Online Shopping module.
Fraudulent listings on official marketplaces
Scammers also appear on official marketplaces with fraudulent listings, offering exceptional products at bargain basement prices.
It's important when buying off online marketplaces to:
- Be skeptical of deals too good to be true
- Verify the sellers profile
- Use secure payment methods
- Avoid paying deposits for high value items
- Keep your communication on the platform
- Limit the amount of personal information you share with the seller
- Meet in public places for exchanges.
Loyalty points
Scammers pretend to be from well-known companies like Coles, Qantas, or Telstra, warning about expiring loyalty points and directing you to fake websites that convince you to share your credit card and personal details, which scammers use for illegal activities.
Pet scams
Scammers set up fake websites to deceive you into paying money for popular breeds, cute puppies, or other pets. They set up fake profiles on social media and online marketplaces to convince you to buy a pet that doesn’t exist.
Rental scams
Scammers post ads for rental properties that may not exist or that do exist but that they do not own. Scammers will come up with excuses about why you can’t inspect the property and will ask you to pay a bond or rent in advance. They may also ask you to send identity information like your licence or passport.
To report a scam or get further information on this type of scam, visit Scamwatch.