SYDNEY: Australian regulators have warned that scam activity is expected to rise sharply during the Christmas and New Year period, as criminals exploit increased online spending, travel, deliveries and holiday-related transactions.
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), urged the public to remain vigilant when shopping, travelling, gifting or gambling, noting that scammers take advantage of time pressure and high transaction volumes during the festive season.
Between January and October 2025, Scamwatch recorded more than 21,000 online shopping scam reports, making it the most common scam category involving financial loss. Shopping scams alone accounted for $9.4 million in reported losses, the highest of any scam type.
Regulators also reported increases in:
- Parcel delivery scams and road toll scams, driven by holiday travel and gift deliveries
- Travel, prize and lottery scams, including fake scratch-off cards sent by post
- Online gambling scams, involving unlicensed platforms that accept deposits but refuse payouts
Total reported losses to online gambling scams reached $2 million in the same period.
Scamwatch data showed that from January to September 2025, Australians reported $259.5 million in scam losses, a 16% increase compared with the same period in 2024, despite a decline in the total number of reports. This indicates higher average losses per victim.
Digital channels including fake websites, online advertisements, social media posts and mobile apps were the most common entry point for scams, accounting for 47% of total losses.
Regulators also noted a rise in scams originating from compromised social media accounts, particularly on Facebook and Instagram.
Authorities warned that vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, non-native English speakers and First Nations communities, are experiencing higher financial losses.
The NASC continues to promote its “Stop. Check. Protect.” framework, urging the public to pause before making payments, verify requests through official channels, and report suspected scams promptly to banks, Scamwatch and police. Source: Insurance Business
HackWarn Analysis
Why the Risk Increases During the Festive Season
Scammers thrive during holidays because people are busy, distracted and spending more money.
Time pressure, emotional purchases and increased online activity reduce vigilance and make fraudulent messages appear routine or urgent.
Key Scam Patterns to Watch
Shopping scams, fake delivery notices, road toll messages, unlicensed gambling platforms and prize or lottery offers remain the most common threats. Many now begin through fake ads, cloned websites or hijacked social media accounts.
What This Means for the Public
Higher average losses per case show that scams are becoming more targeted and convincing. Once trust is established, victims often lose large sums before realising something is wrong.
HackWarn Safety Reminder
- Pause before paying or clicking links
- Verify organisations using official websites or apps
- Never act on urgent payment requests from unsolicited messages
- Report suspected scams immediately to banks and authorities
