Australian shoppers brace for record Black Friday sales

Australian shoppers are preparing for what is predicted to be a record-breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping season, while cybersecurity concerns surrounding online scams loom large.

Consumers are expected to spend over AUD $69.7 billion during the six weeks leading up to Christmas, with a significant portion of this anticipated during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year's weekend sales are projected to reach AUD $6.7 billion, marking a 5.5% increase from 2023.

The trend towards online shopping continues to grow, with the Australia Post's latest eCommerce report indicating that four in five Australians shopped online in 2023, a 1.4% rise from the previous year. However, with this rise in online activity, there is an associated increase in the risk of scams.

Mark Anderson, National Security Officer at Microsoft ANZ, warns, "As we head into peak shopping season, scammers are ramping up their tactics, preying on deal-seeking consumers. While shoppers are becoming more aware of common scams, these tactics are evolving. New technologies like AI make it easier for scammers to operate and harder for people to detect these schemes."

With over 143,000 scam reports already recorded this year, vigilance is paramount. Anderson advises, "We all need to stay alert during this time to avoid falling victim."

The latest scams that consumers should be particularly wary of include deepfakes, techscams, and QR code phishing, as outlined in Microsoft's Digital Defence Report.

Deepfakes, driven by AI technology, allow scammers to create realistic fake videos and audio impersonating trusted individuals. Such manipulations can deceive users into sharing sensitive information or making unauthorised payments. Anderson suggests verifying unusual requests by contacting the person directly and being cautious with links and attachments from unknown sources.

Techscams often involve fake tech support that arises from visiting certain shopping sites or ads, imitating companies like Microsoft or Apple. These scams convince individuals to share sensitive information or pay for non-existent services. Additionally, fake shopping deals may lure unsuspecting shoppers to fraudulent sites to capture payment details.

Anderson notes, "Microsoft's report highlights that techscams have led to significant financial losses globally. In fact, techscams can impact wallets up to ten times more than traditional phishing attempts, making it crucial for holiday shoppers to stay vigilant and double-check the legitimacy of offers and websites."

QR code phishing involves directing users to fake websites designed to steal personal information, often bypassing security measures like multi-factor authentication. Caution with QR codes from unknown sources is advised.

Anderson offers several tips for staying safe this shopping season. He recommends avoiding clicking links or attachments with offers that seem too good to be true, and instead verifying offers directly on retailer websites. "If an email or text offers deep discounts, tight timeframes to take an offer up, or unusual availability, it could be a scam."

He also advises scepticism, even when dealing with familiar contacts, noting the sophistication of phishing messages. He underlines the importance of using unique passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security, stating that this measure can block 99% of password-based attacks.

Finally, Anderson encourages reporting any suspected scams immediately to authorities, such as ID Support NSW or the Australian Cyber Security Centre, to minimise damage.