In the wake of shopping scams reported recently, Australian shoppers were urged to check if online or telephone shopping offers are genuine during the National Consumer Fraud Week.
Figures released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) showed that online shopping scams increased by 65 percent over the past year, while 56 percent of scams reported to the ACCC were delivered by phone calls and SMS, which has resulted in nearly USD25 million worth of loss to consumers.
Telstra’s Officer of Internet Trust and Safety, Darren Kane said while the global online marketplace was thriving with consumers making the most of the speed, choice and convenience of online shopping, it was also an easy marketplace for scammers looking for victims.
“Online is a great way to shop and increasingly popular with Aussies looking for good deals. But just as in the offline world shoppers should be wary of those deals that seem too good to be true – both when buying and selling,” Kane said.
Tips to avoid shopping scam, Telstra offers the following tips:
Think twice – if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Find out what other shoppers say – make sure the person that you are dealing with, and their offer, is the real deal.
Protect your identity – your personal details are private and invaluable; keep them that way and away from scammers.
Keep your computer secure – install software that protects your computer from viruses and unwanted programs and make sure it is kept up-to-date.
Only pay via secure payment methods – look for a web address starting with ‘https’ and a closed padlock symbol. Never use a wire transfer service to send money to anyone you do not know and trust, and do not share your financial details with anyone.
The ACCC has identified scams as follows:
Classifieds ads – Appearing on legitimate classifieds websites for cheaply priced popular items, and requiring payment prior to receipt of the goods. Once the payment is made the seller does not provide the goods, and cannot be contacted.
Overpayment scams – A scammer replies to a seller with an overly generous offer, then requests the seller transfer the extra money into an overseas bank account. Once the amount is transferred the seller discovers the original payment bounces, or was phony.
SMS Trivia scams – A text message from an unknown number encourages the recipient to enter into a trivia competition. The recipient is charged to reply and then for each subsequent text, resulting in high phone bills.
Missed call scams – Similar to SMS trivia scams, the receiver returns a missed call, only to be charged at a premium rate for the call and can then be lured into ongoing communications by the promise of prizes, cash or bargain priced goods.
Telstra is a principal partner of National Consumer Fraud Week (17-23 June 2013), an initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce.