With Christmas approaching, look out for fake parcel delivery scams claiming you have an undelivered package. Don’t open email attachments or click on any links. If unsure, call the company directly using a trusted number or search a tracking number on their official website.
Scamwatch has received over 12,000 reports of online shopping scams so far this year, with almost $7 million in reported losses. To help ensure individuals don't fall victim to scammers, Scamwatch recommends the following;
- Watch out for popular products being sold at prices much lower than on other websites and sellers requesting payment through direct bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
- Take the time to consider who you are dealing with and don’t be pressured by special offers.
- Do your research by checking independent reviews of online stores or the seller’s history on classified websites.
- Be cognizant of fake parcel delivery notifications via text message or email. Have you made recent purchases online? Australia Post will never ask you to click a link to enter your personal details, nor will they ask for credit card details or a fee to deliver your packages.
If you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible and contact the platform on which you were scammed to inform them of the circumstances. Most financial institutions offer a chargeback service for credit cards and will dispute a credit transaction with the merchant if they still exist.
More information on scams is available on the Scamwatch website, including how to make a report and where to get help.
If you need any help regarding a possible scam and what to do next, reach out to our support team at any time. We're always here to help - just click the button below if you are on your mobile device to open your Sonder app.