- Christmas Scams
- Online Shopping Fraud
- Phishing Prevention
Scammers are more active during Christmas. Learn about the 12 most common festive season scams targeting Australians and how to protect yourself from parcel delivery fraud, online shopping scams, and phishing attacks.
Why Scammers Target the Festive Season
The Christmas period represents one of the busiest and most vulnerable times for Australian consumers. As families prepare for celebrations, shop for gifts, and organise travel plans, scammers exploit the increased activity and emotional state of potential victims. Financial institutions have reported a significant spike in fraudulent activities during December, with Australians losing millions to various schemes that prey on the festive spirit and seasonal pressures.
Matt Hannan, Head of Fraud at HSBC Australia, emphasises that scammers are well aware of Australian shopping patterns during this period. The combination of time pressure, emotional decision-making, and increased financial transactions creates the perfect environment for fraudsters to operate. Understanding these common scams can help protect your finances and personal information during what should be a joyful time of year.
Delivery and Parcel Scams
Parcel delivery scams have become increasingly sophisticated, particularly during the Christmas shopping rush when Australians are expecting multiple deliveries. Scammers send convincing text messages or emails claiming that a delivery has been missed and requesting either a small redelivery fee or personal details to reschedule. These fraudulent notifications often impersonate trusted courier companies such as Australia Post, FedEx, or DHL, using similar branding and professional-looking messages.
The scam typically works by directing victims to a fake website that looks remarkably similar to the legitimate courier's site. Once there, victims are asked to enter payment details for a small fee, usually between two and five dollars. However, providing these details gives scammers access to your credit card information, which can be used for unauthorised purchases. In some variations, victims are asked to provide personal information that can be used for identity theft. Always verify delivery notifications by logging directly into the courier's official website or app rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
Online Shopping and Marketplace Fraud
The surge in online shopping during December creates fertile ground for marketplace scams. Fraudsters create fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, offer counterfeit branded goods at suspiciously low prices, or post fraudulent listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Instagram. These scams often feature limited-time offers or heavily discounted luxury items to create urgency and prevent careful consideration.
Common red flags include prices that seem too good to be true, sellers who insist on payment through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and websites with poor grammar or unprofessional design. Before making purchases from unfamiliar sellers, research the company through independent reviews, verify their Australian Business Number if applicable, and use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection. Be particularly cautious of sellers who refuse to use platform-approved payment systems or who pressure you to complete transactions quickly.
Phishing Emails and Fake Communications
Phishing emails multiply during the festive season, taking advantage of the increased volume of legitimate promotional emails from retailers and service providers. These fraudulent messages often include fake delivery notifications, bogus charity appeals, too-good-to-be-true deals, and impersonations of well-known retailers or financial institutions. The goal is to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or providing sensitive personal information.
Sophisticated phishing attempts may include personalised information harvested from data breaches or social media, making them appear more legitimate. To protect yourself, examine sender email addresses carefully, hover over links before clicking to reveal their true destination, and be suspicious of any email creating urgency around account security or special offers. Legitimate Australian businesses will never ask for passwords, PINs, or full credit card details via email. When in doubt, contact the organisation directly using contact details from their official website rather than those provided in the suspicious email.
Romance and Loneliness Exploitation
The Christmas period can intensify feelings of loneliness and isolation, making some Australians particularly vulnerable to romance scams. Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites and social media platforms, building seemingly genuine relationships over time before introducing financial requests. These scams often involve urgent pleas for money to cover medical emergencies, travel costs to visit the victim, or investment opportunities that promise shared future prosperity.
Warning signs include someone who professes strong feelings very quickly, always has reasons why they cannot meet in person or video call, and eventually introduces financial difficulties or investment opportunities into conversations. Genuine relationships develop naturally without financial pressure. If someone you have never met in person asks for money or financial assistance, this is almost certainly a scam regardless of how compelling their story may be.
Employment and Job Opportunity Scams
Temporary job opportunities advertised during the holiday season attract many Australians seeking extra income, which scammers exploit through fake employment offers. These fraudulent job advertisements may require applicants to provide detailed personal information, pay fees for training materials or background checks, or unknowingly participate in illegal activities such as reshipping goods purchased with stolen credit cards.
Legitimate employers will never ask for payment as part of the recruitment process, nor will they request extensive financial details before making a formal job offer. Be wary of recruiters using personal email addresses instead of company domains, positions offering unusually high pay for minimal work, or jobs that can be started immediately without proper interviews or reference checks. Verify the legitimacy of any employer through independent research and official business registries before providing personal information.
Family Impersonation and Urgent Request Scams
The 'Hi Mum' or 'Hi Dad' scam exploits family bonds and emotional responses, particularly heightened during the Christmas season. Scammers contact victims via text message from an unknown number, claiming to be a family member whose phone has been damaged or lost. They create urgent scenarios requiring immediate financial assistance, often requesting money transfers before the victim can verify the claim.
These scams succeed because they trigger emotional responses and create time pressure that discourages verification. Always confirm such requests through another communication method, such as calling the family member's known phone number or contacting other relatives who can verify the situation. Legitimate family members will understand if you take time to verify unusual requests, regardless of claimed urgency.
Bank Impersonation and Account Security Scams
Scammers increasingly impersonate Australian banks and financial institutions, using sophisticated techniques like caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate. They may claim suspicious activity on your account related to Christmas shopping, request passwords or verification codes to confirm transactions, or instruct you to transfer money to a 'safe account' to protect your funds from fraud.
Australian banks will never contact customers requesting passwords, PINs, or one-time codes. These security measures are designed to be known only by the account holder. If you receive unexpected contact from someone claiming to be your bank, end the conversation and contact your financial institution directly using the phone number on your bank card or official website. Be aware that scammers may also use sophisticated voice technology to impersonate bank staff convincingly.
Investment Scams and Year-End Opportunities
The end of financial year thinking combined with Christmas bonuses makes December an attractive time for investment scammers. Fraudsters promote exclusive opportunities with guaranteed high returns, cryptocurrency schemes, property share investments, or fake initial public offerings. These scams often use professional-looking websites, fake testimonials, and high-pressure sales tactics to convince victims to invest quickly.
All legitimate investment opportunities in Australia must comply with regulations administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Before investing, verify that the company holds an Australian Financial Services licence, seek independent financial advice, and be extremely sceptical of any investment promising guaranteed returns or requiring immediate decisions. Remember that legitimate investment opportunities do not require secrecy or pressure tactics.
Gift Card and Voucher Fraud
Gift cards are popular Christmas presents, which scammers exploit through various methods. Fake promotional emails and advertisements offer discounted gift cards from major retailers like Apple, Coles, Woolworths, and Amazon, directing customers to cloned websites that steal payment information without delivering actual gift cards. Some scams involve purchasing genuine gift cards only to find they have no value because the codes were previously stolen and used.
Only purchase gift cards from official retailer websites or authorised physical stores. Be suspicious of significant discounts on gift cards, as legitimate retailers rarely offer substantial reductions. Additionally, be aware that scammers often request payment in gift cards for various fraudulent schemes, as these payments are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover. No legitimate business or government agency will ever demand payment exclusively in gift cards.
Charity and Donation Scams
The spirit of giving during Christmas makes Australians generous, which fraudsters exploit through fake charity appeals. Scammers establish convincing fake charities or impersonate legitimate humanitarian organisations, using emotional stories, recent disasters, or urgent causes to pressure quick donations. These appeals may arrive via email, social media, phone calls, or even door-to-door visits.
Before donating, verify that charities are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Legitimate charities will provide detailed information about their operations, never pressure immediate donations, and offer multiple secure payment methods. Be particularly cautious of charities that only accept cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these payment methods leave no traceable record.
Gift Exchange and Chain Schemes
Secret Santa schemes and gift exchange chains circulate heavily through social media and messaging groups during December, promising participants will receive numerous gifts in return for sending one. These pyramid schemes are mathematically impossible to sustain and typically harvest personal information without delivering promised gifts. Participants often find themselves having spent money on gifts while receiving nothing in return.
Legitimate gift exchanges involve equal numbers of participants giving and receiving, with clear rules about the exchange process. Any scheme promising multiplication of gifts or requiring recruitment of additional participants is a scam. These schemes may also expose your contact information to scammers or compromise your social media accounts.
Travel and Accommodation Fraud
December travel planning creates opportunities for accommodation and holiday rental scams. Fraudsters advertise non-existent properties, steal photos from legitimate listings to create fake advertisements, or offer heavily discounted hotel packages and airline tickets that never materialise. Victims often lose deposits or full payments for holidays that do not exist.
Book accommodation and travel through reputable platforms that offer payment protection and verify property ownership. Be suspicious of deals significantly cheaper than comparable options, landlords who cannot provide virtual tours or additional photos, or anyone requesting payment through wire transfers or gift cards. Use secure payment methods that offer dispute resolution, and research properties through multiple sources before committing to bookings.
Protecting Yourself This Christmas
Remaining vigilant during the festive season requires awareness of these common scams and adopting careful online behaviours. Take time to verify unexpected communications, use secure payment methods, enable multi-factor authentication on important accounts, and trust your instincts when offers seem too good to be true. The few extra minutes spent verifying legitimacy can save considerable financial loss and stress during what should be an enjoyable time of year. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it to Scamwatch and contact your financial institution immediately to protect your accounts and help prevent others from becoming victims.