As the holiday season approaches, ANZ is advising Australian shoppers to remain vigilant against potential scams. With December being a peak period for online shopping and travel, cyber criminals often seek to exploit the festive rush.
Shaq Johnson, ANZ's Head of Customer Protection, emphasized the importance of staying alert during this time. "During peak shopping periods, such as the December rush, customers are spending more time and money online so it is crucial that they remain vigilant about cyber safety," he stated.
Johnson highlighted several common scams that shoppers should be aware of. These include fake parcel delivery messages, bank impersonation attempts, and fraudulent e-gift cards. He noted that in 2024, ANZ achieved a 46 percent reduction in customer losses due to scams. The bank's efforts prevented over $140 million from falling into the hands of cyber criminals.
A particularly prevalent scam during this season is the "parcel stuck scam," where individuals are tricked into paying extra fees or divulging personal information under the pretense that their package is delayed in transit. Johnson advised caution: “As always, but particularly in busy shopping periods, it’s important to remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
ANZ provided several tips for maintaining online safety. Shoppers are urged to be cautious of enticing offers and new online stores with extremely low prices. They should avoid clicking on unexpected links and be wary of communications claiming to be from ANZ requesting sensitive information.
To ensure safe transactions, consumers are encouraged to use secure payment methods like PayID or BPAY and verify payment details directly with businesses. Inspecting items in person when possible can also help reduce scam risks.