Black Friday Shopping Spree Attracts Scammers
As Australians prepare for the annual Black Friday shopping frenzy, one of the Hunter region's leading financial institutions is sounding the alarm about sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting consumers. NGM Group, which operates both Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent Building Society, has issued an urgent warning to shoppers across Australia to remain vigilant during what has become the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.
Scammers Exploit Shopping Frenzy
Jason Veltruski, Fraud Operations Manager at NGM Group, revealed that scammers are capitalising on the same marketing excitement that drives Black Friday sales. "Black Friday has become the unofficial start of Christmas shopping, and scammers know it," Mr Veltruski emphasised. "They copy the look and language of trusted brands, send fake delivery updates, and post social-media ads that appear completely genuine."
With the sheer volume of online activity during this period, even cautious shoppers can find themselves caught off-guard. The scale of Black Friday shopping in Australia has grown significantly in recent years, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing shoppers spent more than $37 billion during November last year alone.
Alarming Scam Statistics
The financial impact of scams has reached concerning levels across Australia. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australians have already lost more than $259 million to scams so far this year. The consumer watchdog anticipates this figure will climb further as Black Friday and Christmas shopping activities intensify.
Common Black Friday scams include:
- Fake online stores that perfectly mirror popular retailers but disappear immediately after processing payments
- Delivery message scams demanding small fees to release parcels that don't exist
- False warnings about suspicious banking activity designed to steal login credentials
- Sponsored social media posts and marketplace listings for high-demand items at unbelievable prices
Practical Protection Strategies
NGM Group recommends several simple but effective strategies to help shoppers protect themselves. Before making purchases from unfamiliar online stores, verify they provide legitimate contact details, display an Australian Business Number (ABN), and feature genuine customer reviews that demonstrate they've been operating for some time.
When receiving delivery notifications, avoid clicking on provided links and instead navigate directly to the courier's official website. Similarly, if you receive messages about suspicious bank activity, contact your financial institution using the phone number listed on their official website rather than any number provided in the message.
On social media platforms, exercise particular caution with sponsored posts and marketplace listings, especially for items in high demand. Using secure payment platforms offers significantly better protection than direct bank transfers.
The bank also advises shoppers to ignore high-pressure tactics such as countdown timers and limited stock warnings until they've verified the retailer's legitimacy. Typing website addresses directly into browsers or using official shopping apps provides safer alternatives to clicking links in advertisements or messages offering special deals.
Mr Veltruski stressed that "this time of year should be about enjoying the season, not dealing with scams." He added that "shopping safely online is simple - take your time, trust your instincts, and buy from brands you know."
For those who do fall victim to scams, reporting the incident to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission through the Scamwatch website helps authorities warn other consumers about emerging threats.
