Online shopping scams

In this scam, scammers will set up a fake website, advertisement or social media profile that looks like it’s from a popular store. They might even pretend to sell things on a legitimate website like Amazon.

The scammers will do all types of things to scam you. For example, they might:

• offer products or services at prices too good to be true
• post fake reviews and stolen logos
• use an Australian domain name (.com.au)
• use a stolen Australian Business Number (ABN).

If you buy something from the scammer, it probably won’t be delivered. Even if it is, it’s likely to be poor quality or a fake.

After the scammer has tricked a few people, they’ll usually shut down their fake store.

Scammers may also use online marketplaces like Facebook, Gumtree, eBay, Amazon or Temu to scam you.

They set up accounts on these marketplaces pretending to be buyers or sellers.

Fake sellers

Fake sellers often pretend to sell products at great prices. They’ll make some sort of excuse to explain why the buying process they want you to use is unusual. For example, they might say they’re travelling so they’ll get someone else to deliver the item to you after you’ve paid.

After you’ve paid, they’ll completely disappear. You’ll then realise that you’ve been scammed and you won’t be getting what you paid for.

Fake buyers

Fake buyers often say they’ll buy an item you’re selling without seeing it in person. They’ll say they’ve paid you (or even overpaid you) and send you a fake payment notification that makes it look like you’ve received the money.

• Be careful if someone is selling something at an incredibly low price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Copy the wording in the advertisement and search for it on Google. You might see that there are many versions of the same scam.
• Don’t pay up-front to a stranger using a money order or wire transfer. 
  • Use secure payment options, such as PayPal or credit card. 
  • If you need to use PayID or a bank transfer, check that the account holder’s name matches the person you think you’re paying.
• Research the website or person you’re buying from before giving them your money or personal information. 
  • Search for the official site of the business. Remember that the first search result in an internet search isn’t always the real website.  
  • Type the website address and the word ‘scam’ or ‘review’ into Google. Check the results carefully. For example, search ‘appleonlinediscountstore.com scam’. 
  • Don’t rely on reviews found on the website. Search for independent reviews on other websites. For example, search ‘appleonlinediscountstore.com review’. 
  • Research the seller’s profile on social media. Check how long the account has been active and how many friends or followers they have. Also check how much online activity they’ve had including posts and photos. Lack of history, detail and followers can be a sign of a fake profile. A low seller rating can also be a sign of a scam seller.
• Be careful if anyone suggests selling something directly to you outside of a reputable platform. Keep all communications within the platform, such as Facebook or Gumtree.

• If you get an email saying that payment has been made:
  • do not click on any links in it
  • do not rely on screenshots the buyer sends you of their ‘payment receipt’.
• Instead, verify for yourself if they’ve paid you. You can do this by logging into your banking account directly (by going to the official website or app yourself). Before you send the item, check that the money has cleared.
• Be careful if anyone asks to buy directly from you, instead of through a reputable platform such as Amazon, Facebook, Gumtree or eBay. Keep all communications within the platform.
• Research the buyer’s profile on social media. Check how long an account has been active, how many friends or followers they have and how much online activity they’ve had including posts and photos. Lack of history, detail and followers can be a sign of a fake profile. A low buyer rating can also be a sign of a scam buyer.