The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a campaign to protect online shoppers.
Already in 2017, the ACCC’s Scamwatch service has received more than 1000 reports of online shopping scams worth more than $150,000 in total.
Younger Australians in the 18 to 24 age bracket make up the biggest group of people reporting financial loss from scammers.
Scamwatch statistics also show nearly one in every two people reporting the scam lost money.
ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said scammers lure shoppers with unrealistic deals.
“The only thing these websites are selling is false hope.
"The scammers running these sites will advertise goods, often well-known and trusted brands, at unbelievably low prices to lure in unsuspecting consumers shopping around for a good deal.
"If something looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
“Australians love shopping online and scammers take advantage of this by setting up fake websites that look like genuine online stores, including professional-looking design, stolen logos, and even a ‘.com.au’ domain name and/or stolen ABNs."
Rickard said there are tell-tale scam signs consumers can look for.
“The biggest tip-off is the method of payment: scammers will often ask you to pay using a money order, pre-loaded money card, or wire transfer, even gift cards from well-known retailers. If you make a payment this way to a scammer, you’re highly unlikely to see that money again
"We all love a bargain, the bigger the better, but scammers prey on this and will use the ‘fear of missing out’ to cloud your judgement. If in doubt, do a Google search on the website you’re thinking of buying a product from. There are many great product review services that can tip you off to stay clear of a fake retailer,” Rickard said.