While e-Shopping, always purchase goods from reputable companies. Also, make sure that the seller of the goods is legitimate and has many positive reviews.
Make sure the website you are about to enter your information in (especially bank details) have a padlock symbol in the address bar and https://. The site is more likely to be secure if it has a padlock symbol and https://
Always pay by your credit card linked to your bank. It is highly recommended to pay by PayPal.
Notify your bank immediately if you have been scammed.
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Delete any suspicious emails and leave websites that:
Ask for banking details or personal information
Promise you money
Present hard luck or exotic stories telling you that you can share in hidden millions of dollars.
Offer jobs where you need no qualifications, but just ask for a bank account for money transfers.
Further steps can be taken:
Never provide personal details via emails or links from emails. If you are unsure, double check by telephone with the company or institution.
Install an Adblocker on your computer to avoid accidentally clicking spams
Never follow the links in spam emails; these could lead to downloading unwanted viruses, spyware or malware.
Ensure that you have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed on your computer.
Install a firewall on your computer and make sure it is activated.
With any issues you are unsure about, contact the following:
Fraudulent use of your identity
Your social networking service provider
Your local police
The padlock symbol and the secure https
Look out for buttons like this which offer checkout with PayPal.
Watch out for ads like these!
Adblock. Click on the image to download. This extension will avoid Ads from popping up on the page, as well as stop you from accidentally clicking on them
Visit the following websites for more information:
SCAMwatch - a website run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams
ABC News - How to avoid being scammed: Five top tips from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Stay Smart Online - Stay Smart Online is the Australian Government's online safety and security website, designed to help everyone understand the risks and the simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online.
PayPal - PayPal is a safer and smarter way to pay. Click on the link to look at some tips about online shopping and internet safety,
What NOT to do:
Don’t send money to anyone who you don’t 100% know
Always be fully aware of who you are sending your money to, not anyone you meet on the internet or through the phone. Before you send your money, know a secure way to contact them in case of emergency for example their address or work office.