Canberrans are being warned about different kinds of scams that could ruin their Christmas holidays. Aussies could become victims of common holiday season scams, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission warned on Monday.

Consumers tend to become vulnerable at this time of the year, which could become a chance for scammers to prey on them. ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard has warned that scammers usually try to take advantage of people during the busy holiday season.

The lead up to Christmas could also mean higher risks for online shopping scams, travel scams and parcel delivery scams. Travel scams involve fraudsters trying to trick people into believing they have won a travel prize or are getting a good deal on a cruise or other travel package.

Rickard said these seemingly too-good-to-be-true holiday deals, unfortunately, are nothing more than a scammer’s con. She noted that 92 Canberrans have reported this scam in the past 12 months. They have lost a total of $1,500.

Online shopping scams are also common this holiday season as people look for gifts for their loved ones in the conveniences of their own homes. Scammers will take advantage by setting up fake online stores to trick people into purchasing goods. The truth is that some of these goods do not even exist.

Scammers may also set up fraudulent auction site listings. Rickard said that fraudsters would entice online shoppers with legitimate-looking discounts and advertise items as the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones. Online shopping scams have cost ACT residents $31,203 in the past 12 months, with 184 reports filed.

Parcel delivery scams, on the other hand, involves scammers sending fake missed delivery notices. Scammers are expected to take advantage of people with millions of packages moving across the country.

Australia’s consumer watchdog is concerned that more Canberrans may become victims of these scams this holiday season. There are fears that Canberrans will be preyed upon for their money or personal information as they prepare for the holidays. In the ACT, 335 people reported issues with one of the aforementioned scams during the past 12 months.

“For example, they may take advantage of you looking for a good deal on a family holiday, searching for a loved one’s present at an online store, or even expecting a present from someone through the post,” Rickard said. She encouraged the community to watch out for common holiday season scams.

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