Scammers know you’ll be busy, distracted and spending more money at this time of year. While you’re hurrying to get last-minute gifts delivered on time and holidays booked, it’s important to slow down and be alert to scams.
Criminals will try to make the most of on the holiday season through shopping and delivery scams, scratchie and prize scams, and travel and gambling scams.
What the scams might look like
- Fake shopping sites and social media accounts pretending to be well known brands.
- Scam sellers on online marketplaces.
- Emails and texts about missed deliveries or unpaid fees.
- Road toll invoices
- Fake online gambling and betting sites.
- Scams using printed material in your letter box promoting fake travel giveaways or instant prizes. These might include a scratchie.
Scamwatch holiday season reminders
- Tolls - real providers won’t demand urgent payment through a text message link. Check if you’ve got outstanding payments through your app or website, not through a link.
- Deliveries - use tracking numbers only through the official website of the courier you are expecting a parcel from.
- Online shopping - buy only from trusted retailers and be cautious of products promoted with unusually low prices or limited-time social media offers.
- Mail promotions - be wary of offers for holidays, high-value prizes or guaranteed wins. Check if the promotion is run by a ‘licensed lottery operator’ in your state. Never pay a fee to collect winnings or a prize.
- Gambling - if a gambling app or website doesn’t exist on ACMA's register of licensed interactive gambling providers, it’s an illegal operation.
