Stay cyber safe during the holiday season

As travel and online shopping increases during the festive season, there are more opportunities for cyber criminals to scam unsuspecting consumers.

Common holiday scams

Watch out for: 

• travel deals from fake website posing as hotels and airlines
• parcel delivery texts and emails posing as Australia Post or other delivery companies 
• offers that seem too good to be true.

Fake online sellers and websites

Scammers will often:

• pay to be displayed at the top of internet search results, so a higher result doesn't guarantee a genuine website
• use fake websites to mimic authentic retailers
• use social media platforms to set up fake stores and advertise their fake websites. 

Protect yourself

Be aware of common scams and take precautions to avoid disappointment during the holidays. 

• Check the URL is correct and secure before making a purchase.
• Search for a website rather than by accessing through links in emails, SMS or social media.
• Download shopping apps from a reliable source, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Secure payment methods

When you pay for goods online:

• use PayPal or a credit card to minimise the risk of your details being compromised
• consider using a second credit card with a low credit limit just for online shopping
• never pay by direct bank deposit, money transfers 
• don't save payment details to online accounts - if your account is hacked, your credit card and banking details are at risk
• never pay by digital currencies such as Bitcoin as you won’t get your money back.

Secure your account and device:

• don’t re-use passwords across different accounts
• set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add another layer of protection
• turn on automatic updates to ensure the software is updated regularly.

Package delivery messages

Scammers often pose as a delivery company, claiming that you need to click on a link for delivery instructions, or make a payment before delivery can occur. 

Even if you are expecting a delivery, check the details of any message you receive concerning parcel deliveries.

Holiday deals 

If a deal seems too good to be true, it's likely a scam. Always use the legitimate website to access information about sales and products.

Tips for avoiding scams

Remember 3 things when you encounter a potential scam.

• Stop – don’t feel pressured to act. Scammers often use limited-time offers to try and get you to act quickly. Take your time to think about whether the offer could be a scam.
• Check – verify the deal is real by contacting the company directly (use contact details found via an independent search) or search for independent reviews.
• Report – contact your bank immediately if you think you have paid money to a scammer. Change your passwords if you think your details have been compromised.