A new scam is targeting Australian shoppers with cloned websites of popular brands. These fake sites look almost identical to the real ones. One woman lost $60 thinking she scored a deal. Unfortunately, it was a scam that slipped through the cracks.
The Rise of Cloned Websites
Janine Leghissa, a Wollongong woman who runs two e-commerce stores herself, thought she had found a goldmine when an ad popped up for discounted FRANKIE4 shoes. The website looked identical to the real thing—same layout, photography, everything. It was Black Friday, and with all the sales going on, she didn’t think twice about purchasing four pairs of shoes for $15 each.
But the excitement quickly turned to confusion. The next day, she noticed she never received a confirmation email. A quick check of her bank account revealed that $60 had been debited to a random website that didn’t look anything like the FRANKIE4 store. That’s when it hit her: she had fallen victim to a scam, explains Yahoo Finance.
A Growing Problem
This kind of scam is becoming more common, especially as online shopping continues to grow. Cybersecurity experts, like those at Avast, are warning shoppers to be more vigilant, particularly as we head into holiday sales like Christmas and Boxing Day. In fact, last year, Avast blocked over 430,000 fraudulent online storefronts that mimicked legitimate brands.
These fake sites can be surprisingly convincing, offering huge discounts on electronics, fashion, and even groceries, which makes them all the more tempting. But the consequences are serious. If you’re not careful, your personal and financial information could end up in the wrong hands. And the worst part? You might never receive the product you thought you bought—or, if you do, it’s likely to be fake or low quality.
How to Avoid Falling for the Scam
So, what can you do to avoid falling for these cloned websites? First, always check the website’s URL carefully. Often, scammers will use URLs that are very close to the real thing, but with subtle differences, like extra letters or numbers. Another tip is to avoid clicking on links directly from ads on social media, as these are often used to direct you to fraudulent sites.
Finally, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts. If a product is being sold at an unusually low price, there’s a good chance it’s part of a scam.
What’s Next for Online Shopping?
As these scams continue to evolve, it’s clear that online shoppers need to stay one step ahead. Retailers and cybersecurity experts are working hard to combat these fraudsters, but it’s up to consumers to stay informed and cautious. It’s a reminder that while online shopping can be convenient, it also comes with its risks.
