New research commissioned by ING reveals 92 per cent of Black Friday shoppers are taking steps to protect themselves from scams during this year’s shopping event, as 1.4 million Aussies admit they’ve previously been scammed during the sales.

This year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales period extends from 24 to 27 November.

The news comes as more Aussies than ever are set to hit the sales and are willing to spend a collective $10.8 billion, with those set to shop the sales this year planning their purchases for an average of three and a half months.

Despite general scam awareness and good intentions, many are at risk of falling into common pitfalls as just 12 per cent of Black Friday shoppers say they are researching common scams to ensure they aren’t caught out.

Just under half (46 per cent) admit they check company reviews for advertised deals, and a further 52 per cent don’t check the company’s official website to make sure deals are legitimate. Just over half (52 per cent) say they would click a deal link sent to their email address or phone without verifying it first.

With shoppers being particularly susceptible to scams during sales seasons, this year ING is encouraging Australians to ensure scam avoidance tactics are a key component of their Black Friday preparations.

Matt Bowen, Head of Daily Banking at ING Australia said, “As we head into the giving season, Aussies are looking for the best deal they can in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and it’s great to see so many planning in advance and doing their research.

“But it’s also important to stay vigilant to common scams that could turn savings into nightmares, especially as many scammers look to capitalise on Aussies hunting for a good deal.”

Matt Bowen’s top 5 tips to avoid scams

1. Be wary of clicking links shared on social media, emails or via text, even if they look legitimate. Instead, verify that a deal is real via the company’s official website or a trusted number.
2. When you get an email, check the email address is legitimate. More sophisticated scammers may create fake company email addresses that appear genuine, so always check the domain name matches previous correspondence. If in doubt, contact the business via trusted sources.
3. Be on alert for fake websites that pose as “discount” website for reputable retailers.
4. Read up on common scams and tactics.
5. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!

How are Aussies intend shopping this Black Friday

1. Making it count: 63 per cent of Black Friday shoppers will consider ‘cost per wear/use’ before making a purchase – more likely amongst millennials (72 per cent) than the older generations.
2. Must haves: top items Black Friday shoppers are planning to purchase this Black Friday are clothes (51 per cent), Christmas presents (46 per cent) and tech (41 per cent).
3. Practical purchases: 51 per cent of Black Friday shoppers are conscious of buying things they actually need, with almost a quarter (23 per cent) planning to buy essential household items and 16 per cent on the hunt to replace broken items.

For more information about types of scams and ways to protect yourself, visit the Australian Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre website at scamwatch.gov.au

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