Consumers are being reminded to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves when transacting or interacting online as Scams Awareness Week returns from 25-29 August 2025.
Australians have already lost more than $147 million to scams in 2025, with NSW residents alone reporting more than $48 million in losses, and more than 25,000 scams to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's National Anti-Scam Centre - Scamwatch.
Phishing scams where people are tricked into clicking links or entering details on fake websites which impersonate trusted organisations like banks, governments, or other services, are still the most common scams in NSW with nearly 9,000 reports, followed by identity theft, online shopping scams, and false billing.
Those aged 65 and over continue to be disproportionately affected, with older Aussies lodging more than 6,100 reports in the last year alone.
In the past year, more than 40 per cent of scam reports received by NSW Fair Trading were related to phishing attempts involving impersonation scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp.
Around 27 per cent involved tele fraud, false billing, or itinerant trader scams, while others concerned fake fundraising, trade promotions, and community gaming - reflecting the diverse ways scammers target consumers.
But it is not just online and digital scams which can cause harm, consumers are also being warned to be vigilant when shopping online.
Often based overseas, fake, or temporary online shops can seemingly pop-up overnight and employ 'bait' advertising like urgent calls to action which aim to rush shoppers into securing a purchase before authenticity is verified.
While Australian Consumer Law applies to online purchases made in Australia, purchases from overseas-based scammers are difficult to resolve.
Shoppers are urged to stay vigilant, research the seller, use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal for buyer protection, and always beware of deals which may look too good to be true.
People who have been scammed from bogus shops should keep receipts and screenshots of correspondence to assist with lodging a complaint with NSW Fair Trading.
Everyone can also join ID Support NSW's free 30-minute webinar on 27 August for Scams Awareness Week 2025 to learn how to spot, avoid, and report scams - register for the webinar here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events-hub/events/scams-awareness-week-2025-webinar.
To help people shop safely online, ID Support NSW also offers a free online shopping module which explains how to spot fake websites, avoid scams, and know what to do if something goes wrong: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/learn/learning-modules/online-shopping.
Clear advice on spotting scam messages, managing privacy settings, securing devices, and monitoring financial information, including how to request a temporary credit ban if needed, is available at www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/be-prepared.
NSW Fair Trading encourages consumers dissatisfied with a business's services to lodge a complaint online here: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint or on 13 32 20.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
"It's worth taking the time to be sure you are not being scammed and we want everyone to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves and their loved ones against scams.
"Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, targeting people through social media, messaging apps and impersonating trusted organisations.
"Phishing scams are still the most reported in NSW, and they're becoming harder to spot, so if something feels off, trust your instincts and don't engage."
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Consumer protection is one of the Minns Labor Government's top priorities.
"When a business is based in Australia and a consumer has been misled or scammed, NSW Fair Trading can step in to help resolve the issue where appropriate.
"Buying from private sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can carry real risks, so if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is, and consumers should take extra care and trust their instincts.
"NSW Fair Trading encourages people to buy from reputable retailers and to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar online sellers.
"If someone believes they've been scammed, they should report it to the ACCC via the Scamwatch website, which helps protect others and contributes to national efforts to disrupt scam activity."
