By Tom Wark in Sydney
Being on the lookout for bargains this Black Friday could make you vulnerable to scammers, the consumer watchdog warns.
Shopping scams have risen this year, and buyers are being urged to be extra cautious when the pressure to snag a good deal is on.
In the first nine months of 2025, Australians reported losing nearly $260 million in more than 150,000 separate scams, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on Tuesday.
Shopping scams were the most common ruse, rising 19 per cent this year, sparking warnings for those looking for Christmas or Black Friday bargains online.
“Scamming is a numbers game … they are sophisticated criminals both in terms of the use of technology but also the use of psychology,” commission deputy chair Catriona Lowe told AAP.
“They can create that sense of urgency and … try very hard to get us into that hot state because it overrides many of our natural senses of caution.”
Anti-scam legislation framework was passed by the federal government in February, but independent senator David Pocock says they are dragging their feet on more action to protect innocent people.
“We’re heading towards the end of November and we’ve seen no further action,” Senator Pocock told reporters in Parliament House.
“We have to have more urgency in this building when it comes to protecting everyday Australians.”
Nearly half of all scam losses come from online contacts, including fake websites, advertisements, or social media pages.
Compromised social media accounts, particularly on Facebook and Instagram, are used to target people’s personal networks to build trust with unsuspecting victims.
The warnings come as shoppers gear up for the busiest time of the year for Australian retail with the Black Friday weekend expected to rake in billions.
About six million people are expected to take part in Black Friday sales from November 28 to December 1, with a projected total spend of $6.8 billion, according to the retail industry.
Buying big-ticket Christmas gifts at cheaper prices was a key driver of Black Friday spending, Australian Retailers Association chief executive Chris Rodwell said.
“Shoppers are savvy and more deliberate – they’re waiting for big sales events like Black Friday to make larger purchases,” he said.
The increased buzz on Black Friday has scam watchers nervous, as vulnerable communities are reporting more financial loss from exploitation.
People who speak English as a second language and First Nations communities had reported 35 per cent and 50 per cent increases in losses from scams, the National Anti-Scam Centre said.
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