Be careful of online shopping scams

18th November 2025

Last year, Australians lost $9.8 million* to online shopping scams, with criminals exploiting the convenience of online shopping and our search for a bargain.

Whether you're shopping for your business, buying for yourself, or helping your customers and employees stay informed about scams, it's important to know how to spot the red flags.

Watch out for fake online stores

Criminals use social media ads, emails and text messages to lure shoppers to fake websites. These sites might promote big discounts, claim they're closing down, or use fake celebrity endorsements to seem more trustworthy.

One common scam is the 'ghost store'. These sites pretend to be local boutiques, often saying they're based in major Australian cities and closing down after many years in business. In reality, they're overseas operators who sell poor-quality products and often refuse refunds.

Spot the red flags

Prices that seem too good to be true and pressure to act quickly so you don't miss out on an offer.

 

 

Emails, text messages and advertisements that pop up on your screen with links to unbelievable sales. These may contain malicious software or direct you to fake websites that steal your information.

 

 

Websites with blurry logos or images. But some may have images that look too perfect and unrealistic (AI-generated), sometimes showing the ‘owners’ outside their store.

 

 

No evidence a real store exists when you do an online search.

 

 

Sellers who ask you to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency.

 

 

You can’t find information about a refund policy on the seller’s website.

 Before you buy

Stop and pause before clicking links. It's safer to type the store's actual website into your browser or use their official app.

Look for genuine reviews online. You can also check if a website has been associated with a scam by searching “is this (website name) a scam?”.

Be cautious with overseas stores. If it’s a scam, it’s harder to get your money back.

Compare prices across multiple sites, especially if one offer seems unusually cheap.

Check if the store has an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) listed.

Consider using payment options that come with some enhanced protections, like PayPal or a credit card.

Think twice before entering your credit card details into a website you’re unsure about – if it’s fake, your card details could be used for fraud.

Visit the NAB security hub

For more tips on staying one step ahead of online shopping scams, visit nab.com.au/shoppingscams.

News for November 2025