As the festive season approaches, Australians are being warned to be on high alert for a surge in scam activities. With the increase in online shopping, travel bookings, and holiday preparations, scammers are exploiting the busy period to target unsuspecting consumers. HSBC Australia is urging the public to be cautious and informed about the various scams prevalent during this time.

"Scammers know that Australians are busy, and spending more at this time of year," said Matt Hannan, Head of Fraud at HSBC Australia. "We want customers to enjoy the festive season and ensure they remain scam aware. That’s why we are sharing some of the most common scams affecting Australians and a few that we are seeing on the rise."

One of the most common scams Australians need to be wary of is the parcel delivery scam. With record parcel volumes, scammers are sending fake notifications claiming a delivery has been missed, requesting a small redelivery fee or personal details. These messages often impersonate trusted companies, such as Australia Post, FedEx, or DHL.

The online shopping and marketplace purchase scams are also on the rise. Fake websites, counterfeit brand sales, and fraudulent listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Instagram are particularly prevalent in December. Scammers lure shoppers with limited-time offers or heavily discounted gifts, making it crucial for consumers to verify the authenticity of deals before making any purchases.

Phishing emails are another threat during the festive season. These emails often include fake delivery notifications, bogus charity appeals, and impersonations of retailers or banks. Hannan advises, "To stay safe, verify the legitimacy of links and offers, and be cautious with unsolicited emails or requests for personal information."

The holiday season can also be a lonely time for some, making them more vulnerable to romance and loneliness scams. Online relationships that quickly escalate into pleas for money, urgent bill payments, or dubious "investment opportunities" are common tactics used by scammers during this period.

Job scams are also prevalent, as the holiday season offers temporary job opportunities. Scammers exploit this by posting fake job ads online. Applicants are advised to be cautious of jobs that require detailed personal or financial information or demand a "fee" to apply. Some scams even involve hiring individuals for roles that include fraudulent activities, such as reshipping goods purchased with stolen credit cards. It is essential to verify the legitimacy of employers and be wary of recruiters using personal email addresses instead of business domains.

Another scam that spikes around Christmas is the "Hi Mum/Hi Dad" family message scam. Scammers message from a new number, pretending to be a family member whose phone is "broken," asking for urgent help or money transfers. The emotional pressures of the holiday season make this scam particularly effective.

Bank impersonation scams are also on the rise, with scammers posing as banks using spoofed caller IDs or messages. They claim to need a password or code to "confirm a transaction" or "unlock your account" or to send money to a "safe account." Hannan emphasises, "Your bank would never do this."

Investment scams and year-end "bonus" opportunities are another area of concern. Fraudsters push "exclusive December returns," cryptocurrency schemes, property share investments, or fake IPOs. Consumers are urged to verify all investment opportunities through official channels at any time of year.

Gift card and voucher scams are also prevalent, with fake emails and ads promoting discounted gift cards leading customers to cloned sites that steal card details or payment information.

Charity and holiday donation scams are also a concern, as scammers set up fake charities or impersonate humanitarian organisations during the season of giving. They use emotional stories, recent global events, or urgent needs to pressure quick donations.

Secret Santa and social group scams are circulating heavily in group chats, promising dozens of gifts in return for sending one. These are pyramid schemes that harvest personal details and never deliver on the promise.

Finally, travel and holiday accommodation scams are on the rise, with fake holiday rentals, discounted hotel packages, and fraudulent airline ticket sites spiking during December travel planning. Scammers advertise properties that don’t exist or steal real listing photos.

For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, visit the HSBC Fraud and Scam Prevention Hub. As the festive season approaches, Australians are encouraged to remain vigilant and informed to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday period.