How to avoid scammers this Christmas
Christmas might be the time for giving for most Australians, but for scam artists eyeing the purses of senior shoppers it’s also the time for taking. As our stockings fill with holiday gifts, so too do our email inboxes fill with phony messages and our phone lines clog with calls from fraudsters who are trying to take us to the cleaners.
Here are eight scams seniors need to be aware of this Christmas:
1. Fake online retailers
Scammers often set up fake websites to look like genuine online retail stores. Be cautious of new or unknown retail websites, as they may be set up to steal your personal details.
2. Take parcel delivery scams
Scammers typically pose as Australia Post or anyone courier service to trick you into believing you have an “undeliverable package” and demand you send over your details.
3. Dating scams
The holiday season is also a time where lonely singles are particularly vulnerable to dating scams. If the person you’re chatting to ever asks for money, that’s a big red flag.
4. Fake holiday accommodation booking sites
Many seniors looking to book their holiday accommodation have been caught out by fake sites (often with cheap prices) who are looking to steal your funds.
5. Centrelink scams
If you receive a phone call completely out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Department of Human Services or Centrelink, it could be a scam.
6. Fake gift cards or vouchers
An unprompted gift card or voucher in the mail seems to good to be true, and that’s often because it is. Make sure you triple check it’s from a reputable company.
7. Phishing scams
These scams often slip through the gate during the holiday season and sent you to site where clicking a link will cause you to download malicious software.
8. Credit card surcharges
Retailers in Australia are now only allowed to charge a credit or debit card surcharge equivalent to that charged by their bank, so keep an eye on your transactions.
Are you the victim of any of these scams?