Save
5 ways to protect yourself from online scammers
As consumers’ preferences change from traditional retail to online shopping, they are being advised to keep an eye out for potential scams.
5 ways to protect yourself from online scammers
As consumers’ preferences change from traditional retail to online shopping, they are being advised to keep an eye out for potential scams.
5 Ways to protect yourself from online scammers
A study released by Mastercard showed that since the pandemic began, nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents in Asia Pacific said they have been using cash less often, while two-thirds of Latin American consumers said they have been using cash less or not at all.
In Europe, which already had the largest adoption of contactless payments of any region, 64 percent said tap-and-pay is now their preferred way to pay in-store.
As local restrictions continue to change, online shopping remains part of our new normal. Mastercard research showed that just under three-quarters (71 per cent) of Aussies believe contactless payments are here to stay, with almost six out of 10 globally believing digital payments will become a permanent part of our lives.
With more and more transactions taking place online, it’s never been more important to stay aware of potential online payment fraud. Any financial crisis, especially one as pronounced as that triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, can put businesses and consumers at heightened risk of fraud.
5 Ways to protect yourself from online scammers
Mastercard’s five tips to avoid getting scammed:
1. Research the seller
When it comes to spending online, do some quick desktop research to ensure that you are dealing with a trusted and reliable business. Verify company details and check for feedback from other customers – if they’re unsafe, it’s likely someone else has experienced this.
2. Be alert
Be aware of unexpected emails from government agencies (such as the ATO) or health authorities requesting personal information. Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown sources, pop-ups or untrusted websites as this may contain malware, intended to damage devices and steal data. These simple precautions will help you spot any suspicious activity, before it’s too late. Mastercard is working with banks and merchants to deploy technologies that detect malware, use of stolen credentials and identity theft.
3. Knowledge is power
When going to pay, only enter your details into a secure web page. You can spot this from the “https://” at the beginning of the address bar and/or a picture of a locked padlock in the browser. When shopping online, your bank may prompt you to enter a one-time code, via SMS, to confirm that it is really you making an online payment.
4. Make sure you’re protected
In the event that your payment details are compromised, make sure you’re protected by industry policies. Notify your bank as soon as you notice an unauthorised transaction.
5. Store your data securely
From passwords to payment and shipping information, it can be hard to remember everything. To best protect yourself and avoid potential information breaches, put pen to paper.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more
Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more
Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more
Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more
Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more
Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more
Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more
Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more
Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more
Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more
Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
- Accountants Daily
- Accounting Times
- Adviser Innovation
- Australian Aviation
- Broker Daily
- Cyber Daily
- Defence Connect
- Fintech Business
- HR Leader
- Independent Financial Adviser
- Investment Centre
- Investor Daily
- Lawyers Weekly
- Money Management
- Nestegg
- Property Buzz
- Real Estate Business
- Smart Property Investment
- SMSF Adviser
- Space Connect
- Super Review
- The Adviser
- Wellness Daily
- World of Aviation
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- Accountants Daily 30 Under 30 Awards
- ACE25
- Adviser Innovation Summit
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Better Business Summit & Awards
- Broker Daily Business Awards
- Corporate Counsel Summit & Awards
- Cyber Security Summit & Awards
- Defence Connect Budget Lunch
- Defence Connect DSR Summit
- Fund Manager of the Year Awards
- ifa Excellence Awards
- ifa Future Forum
- Investor Daily ESG Summit
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Forum
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- REB Awards
- Reinnovate
- SME Broker Bootcamp
- SMSF Adviser Technical Day
- Super Fund of the Year Awards
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Law Awards
- Accountants Daily Podcast Network
- Australian Aviation Podcast Network
- Broker Daily Podcast Network
- Defence Connect Podcast Network
- HR Leader Podcast Network
- REB Podcast Network
- Relative Return
- Space Connect Podcast
- The Adviser Podcast Network
- The ifa Show
- The Lawyers Weekly Show
- The Smart Property Investment Show
PODCASTS
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
LINKS
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.