Australians urged to be scam-aware during Black Friday sales

SHOPPERS gearing up for a major Black Friday deal are being urged to stay alert to scams.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), estimates that $259 million has been lost to scams in 2025.

Authorities expect this figure to rise as online spending increases in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Consumers spent more than $37 billion during November last year, with Black Friday driving record sales, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Jason Veltruski, Fraud Operations Manager at NGM Group, said scammers often use the hype surrounding Black Friday to their advantage.

“Black Friday has become the unofficial start of Christmas shopping, and scammers know it,” he said.

“They copy the look and language of trusted brands, send fake delivery updates, and post social-media ads that appear genuine.

“With so much happening online, even careful shoppers can be caught off-guard – which is why a few simple checks can make a big difference.”

Common scams expected to peak this week include fake online stores, delivery-message scams, payment impersonations, suspicious social-media bargains and pressure-tactic countdowns designed to make shoppers act fast.

“This time of year should be about enjoying the season, not dealing with scams.

“Shopping safely online is simple – take your time, trust your instincts, and buy from brands you know.”

NGM Group advises Australians to shop via trusted sources, manually type retailer web addresses, and check for real business details before paying.

The organisation also urges people to save receipts and tracking numbers, and to monitor bank accounts for unusual activity.

If you suspect you have been targeted, report it to the ACCC via Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and contact your bank immediately if you have shared personal or payment details.

NGM Group is the customer-owned organisation behind Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent.

By Sis HIGGINS