The holiday rush has begun, and while shoppers are chasing last-minute deals, scammers are chasing them. With Christmas fast approaching, Westpac has issued a fresh warning that online fraud is expected to surge across Australia in the coming days.
Scammers Take Advantage of the Festive Frenzy
Every year, the same pattern repeats itself: as people hurry to buy gifts and organise travel, criminals get busier too. The festive season is the perfect storm for scams. Fake shopping websites, delivery notifications demanding payment, and phoney charity appeals are all designed to exploit the chaos of December.
Australians have already lost millions this year to scams linked to online shopping and parcel deliveries, reports Yahoo Finance.. Authorities say the numbers are rising faster than expected, with reports suggesting more than $9 million has disappeared in shopping scams alone since January. Add fake prize draws, gambling schemes, and investment hoaxes, and the total losses climb even higher.
Westpac Sounds the Alarm
Westpac’s fraud prevention team has noticed a sharp uptick in suspicious activity, warning that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They now copy entire websites, use stolen brand logos, and even replicate phone numbers to convince victims they’re dealing with a legitimate business. Some fraudsters also use emotional hooks, pretending to represent charities or family members in need, to trick people into transferring money.
The most common tactics include fake online stores that vanish after payment, social media ads for products that never arrive, and messages from “delivery companies” asking for small fees to release parcels. These scams often come with a sense of urgency — pay now or lose the deal — preying on shoppers who are distracted or short on time.
Old Tricks Making a Comeback
Authorities have also seen a surprising return of old-fashioned scams. Letters promising luxury holidays, fake prize notifications, and even scratch cards sent through the post have started reappearing. They may seem harmless, but they’re designed to lure recipients into paying “processing fees” or sharing personal details that can later be exploited.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned that these methods target older Australians, who may be less accustomed to spotting digital fraud but more trusting of official-looking mail.
Staying Alert During the Festive Rush
Westpac’s advice is simple: slow down, double-check, and think before you click or pay. Avoid deals that feel too good to be true, use secure payment methods, and buy only from trusted websites. With cost-of-living pressures already weighing heavily on households, it’s easy to be tempted by “bargain” offers — and that’s exactly what scammers count on.
This Christmas, vigilance might be the most valuable gift Australians can give themselves. Because while the holidays come and go, a moment’s carelessness with money can linger far longer than the season itself.
