Sydney, 26 December 2024 – As Aussies prepare to snag Boxing Day deals, new PayPal research reveals risky shopping practices are up 9% from last year. While attempting to save time, 3-in-4 (73%) Australians are joining the droves of distracted shoppers, potentially making them easier targets for scammers. As nearly 2-in-5 (38%) plan to shop today's Boxing Day deals, Aussies may want to limit their urge to Netflix and click.
Multitasking while shopping could mean increased risk
The research uncovered concerning habits with 4-in-10 (43%) Aussies admitting to shopping online while watching TV or streaming video, lying in bed at the end of the day (43%), at the office or working from home (35%), on public transport or in a car (29%) and shopping online while being physically in store (25%).
During this busy time, it’s tempting to multitask – but with it comes increased risk. According to the Australian Signals Directorate, online shopping fraud is the second most reported type of fraud in Australia after identity fraud.
Aussies heading online by the masses to grab a bargain
Australians see a lot of benefits for shopping the Boxing Day sales online rather than in-store, with the top reason being to avoid the crazy crowds (49%). Shoppers are also eager to compare prices online (48%), shop from the comfort of their own homes (37%) and skip the traffic (30%).
PayPal urges Australians to pay close attention when shopping online as sales periods invite new opportunities for scammers. One-in-10 (10%) Aussies report making an online purchase through a fraudulent website, with 3-in-10 (30%) Australians saying they’ve been lured to visit a fake website. Cyber criminals are also using social channels, with a third of Aussies (38%) reporting they’ve been contacted by a fake social media profile.
Bonnie Brady, Consumer Shopping Expert at PayPal Australia explains: “One of the biggest risks of online shopping is encountering fake online stores, set up by fraudsters to steal money or personal information. In this day of AI, these fake retail sites can look very convincing. We all love the online sales and they’re a great way to get a deal, but it’s important for Australians to stay focused and ensure they’re buying from legitimate retailers.”
Click with caution this Boxing Day
PayPal’s research found nearly half (45%) of Aussies are feeling heightened concern about falling victim to scams, especially as scammers get more savvy, leveraging AI to do their bidding and making scams harder to detect. Alarmingly, nearly all (91%) of Australians have encountered a scam, with email (77%), call (72%), or text (71%) being the most prevalent.
Bonnie adds: “Boxing Day is a great way to grab a bargain and doing it online lets you avoid the crazy crowds and do easier price comparisons – particularly during this cost-of-living crunch.
“However, it’s important to remember scammers are quick to exploit end-of-year sales with urgent or time-sensitive messages designed to pressure you. Take a moment, assess the situation, and trust your gut before hitting purchase.”
PayPal Tips for Staying Safe Online
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During sales periods, there’s often an influx of scam emails or texts from unfamiliar senders. Don’t click on links in unverified communications, instead go directly to a store’s official website to access deals.
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Always be on the lookout for imposters of your favourite brands. If a promotional email starts with “Dear user” or “Hello, customer” rather than with your name, then you should report it as phishing.
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Think twice before sharing sensitive information such as your credit card number, password, or even security questions like your first dog's name.
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If the website looks a little suspicious, don’t click on anything and check for a URL starting with “https” and the closed padlock symbol.
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Stop and take stock while browsing online. Scammers often dial up the pressure with “urgent action required” or “limited time offer” messages, hoping that you’ll panic and take a risk.
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Before hitting the checkout button, stop what you’re doing, and focus on the task at hand. It’s worth taking the extra moment to limit distractions and check your work – if a deal seems too good to be true, it might be.
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Check to see if the website you want to buy from has secure payment methods available, like PayPal.
Stay up to date on the latest scams targeting consumers at www.scamwatch.gov.au, or visit www.esafety.gov.au to learn about how you can better protect yourself online among other things.
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Key Facts:
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Nearly 2-in-5 Aussies (38%) plan to shop today's Boxing Day deals.
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3-in-4 Australians (73%) find themselves engaging in ‘distracted shopping’, up 9% year on year.
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One-in-10 Australians (10%) report making an online purchase through a fraudulent website, with 3-in-10 (30%) saying they’ve been lured to visit a fake website.
About us:
PayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital commerce revolution for more than 25 years. By leveraging technology to make sending money and shopping more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering hundreds of millions of consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com, https://about.pypl.com and https://investor.pypl.com/
PayPal Australia was established in 2005 and has more than 9.5 million active Australian customer accounts. PayPal enables Australian consumers and businesses easily and securely send, receive, and manage their money. The PayPal service is provided by PayPal Australia Pty Limited (ABN 93 111 195 389) which holds an Australian Financial Services Licence number 304962. For more information visit PayPal Australia Newsroom for more information and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
About the research
PayPal Holiday Shopping Research 2024 was produced by PayPal Australia Pty Limited, based on a study conducted by Fifth Quadrant with n=1,022 consumers and n=413 businesses. It contains general observations about trends in eCommerce, as well as security, Buy now pay later, holiday shopping and circular economy. The study does not take into account the objectives, situation or needs of any specific business or individual. The consumer research conducted by Fifth Quadrant consisted of a 20-minute online survey of n=1,022 aged 18 – 75 years. In addition, Fifth Quadrant conducted a 10-minute online survey of n=413 business decision makers within Australian B2C retailers and businesses who operate entirely or partially online.
Contact details:
To contact PayPal Australia’s media team, please email paypalAU@edelman.com or call 0404 034 512.
