SMS scams across Australia and New Zealand surged by 41% in November, and it’s no coincidence that shopping scams topped the list. With major sales events and holiday spending in full swing, scammers ramp up their activity and take advantage of shoppers who are busy and distracted.

Peak Scam Seasons

Shopping-related scams surge during major retail events, particularly Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas period. These high-demand seasons create ideal conditions for scammers, with increased online purchasing and a much heavier volume of messages from retailers and delivery services. 

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 

• A sharp rise in scam activity typically begins here, as attackers push fraudulent deals and impersonate well-known brands. 

Christmas & Holiday Season 

• Scams remain elevated throughout December and into January, aligning with ongoing gift purchases and frequent delivery updates. 

Other Sales Events 

• Mid-year sales such as EOFY, Back-to-School, and other retailer promotions also see heightened scam activity, as cybercriminals take advantage of any spike in consumer spending.

Why Scams Peak During These Times

Increased Transaction Volume 

• During major sales periods, consumers place more orders and receive more notifications. This higher message traffic makes fraudulent texts harder to distinguish from legitimate ones. 

Urgency Drives Quick Decisions 

• Flash sales and limited-time offers encourage fast action. Scammers replicate this urgency to prompt users into clicking links without checking for red flags. 

More Sophisticated Impersonation 

• Attackers frequently imitate trusted retailers, couriers, and payment services using polished branding and realistic URLs, increasing the likelihood that recipients will trust the message. 

Spike in Delivery Notifications 

• With more parcels in transit, fake delivery texts become more common. These scams often claim a fee is outstanding or a package is delayed, prompting victims to share personal or payment information.

Best Practices to Stay Safe

Shop with trusted retailers 

• Use well-established websites and brands you recognise, especially during busy sales periods. 

Verify the URL before you buy 

• Ensure the website address is correct and secure. Watch for misspellings, unusual domains, or missing “https”. 

Use secure payment options 

• Choose credit cards or trusted digital payment platforms that offer fraud protection. 

Be cautious of unrealistic deals 

• Extremely low prices, countdown timers, or high-pressure language are common scam tactics. 

Avoid clicking unexpected links 

• Don’t interact with links in unsolicited texts, emails, or ads. Navigate directly to the retailer’s official site or app. 

Keep your device and security tools updated 

• Install updates promptly and use reputable security software to help block malicious sites and phishing attempts.