Save
Scam alert: Trend Micro warns Aussies to be vigilant as Black Friday approaches
Save
Scam alert: Trend Micro warns Aussies to be vigilant as Black Friday approaches
As Australians prepare to dive into Black Friday shopping, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has issued a stark warning about a surge in scam activities targeting eager consumers. According to a recent survey conducted by the company, nearly half of Australians plan to shop for gifts or make travel reservations online during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, creating a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit.
Scam alert: Trend Micro warns Aussies to be vigilant as Black Friday approaches
As Australians prepare to dive into Black Friday shopping, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has issued a stark warning about a surge in scam activities targeting eager consumers. According to a recent survey conducted by the company, nearly half of Australians plan to shop for gifts or make travel reservations online during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, creating a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit.
The research, which surveyed over 1,000 Australians, reveals that more than one in three shoppers have already encountered suspicious deals in their social media feeds and inboxes this holiday season. Ashley Millar, Trend Micro’s Director of Consumer Education, highlights the growing threat: “With nearly half of Australians shopping or booking travel online this Black Friday and many spending more time chasing discounts, cybercriminals are seizing the moment. Fake deals, spoofed delivery alerts, and impersonated brands are flooding inboxes, messages, and social feeds.”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported a 16% year-on-year increase in scam losses, with a staggering $259.5 million lost to scams between January and September 2025. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of consumer vigilance as scam activity continues to rise. Millar adds, “Financial stress is accelerating risk. When budgets are tight, people act fast, and that’s when mistakes happen. One in three shoppers have already encountered suspicious offers this season. It’s a reminder that urgency and emotion are powerful tools for scammers, and that even small lapses in caution can have costly consequences.”
The survey uncovered that 49% of Australians plan to participate in Black Friday shopping, while 37% intend to shop on Cyber Monday. However, the allure of discounts and deals comes with a warning: 46% of respondents indicated they would spend more time searching for discounts compared to last year, potentially increasing their exposure to scams.
Trend Micro’s findings also shed light on how scammers are targeting consumers. One in four Australians reported encountering fraudulent content or messages impersonating well-known brands. Additionally, 20% have come across online ads, emails, texts, social media posts, or websites related to online charities seeking donations that they believed to be scams. A significant 68% of respondents received fraudulent messages or emails alerting them to problems with the delivery of items they ordered.
Email remains the most common method scammers use to target consumers, with 41% of respondents reporting email as the primary channel for scams. Social media follows at 21%, and text messages at 16%. Among social platforms, Facebook is the most targeted, with 59% of Australians reporting scam activity, followed by Instagram (14%) and WhatsApp (8%).
The survey also explored how victims realised they were scammed. Of the 17% who fell victim to online scams related to shopping or booking travel this year, 21% only realised they were scammed when an item they ordered never arrived. Meanwhile, 14% discovered the scam after conducting research post-payment, and 13% only became aware when money was withdrawn from their bank account by someone else.
For those who suspect they have encountered a scam, the top methods for verification include researching online (37%) and trusting their instincts (35%). However, only 12% of consumers have used an online scam-checking app to confirm their suspicions.
As the holiday shopping season intensifies, Trend Micro’s research serves as a crucial reminder for Australians to remain vigilant. With cybercriminals capitalising on the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, consumers are urged to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of deals and offers before making purchases.
RELATED ARTICLES
Scams
Economic stress leaves Australians vulnerable to job and financial scams
As Australians brace for the holiday season, a significant increase in job and financial scams is raising alarms. New findings from global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated reveal that ...Read more
Scams
AI-driven investment scams explode: Millions of fraudulent sites blocked, billions lost
In an alarming trend that has caught the attention of cybersecurity experts worldwide, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment scams has surged dramatically. Between March and October ...Read more
Scams
From awareness to accountability: Banks turn scam prevention into a core P&L discipline
Scam Awareness Week is the headline, but the real story is a structural shift: fraud prevention is moving from compliance footnote to board-level performance driver. ANZ’s 15% reduction in scam losses ...Read more
Scams
Inside ANZ’s $100m scam‑fight playbook: how banks can turn awareness into prevention
Public-service messaging won’t stop modern scammers. Australia’s banks are moving from posters to prevention, blending AI, network controls and customer friction to change outcomes. ANZ’s program ...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
Economic stress leaves Australians vulnerable to job and financial scams
As Australians brace for the holiday season, a significant increase in job and financial scams is raising alarms. New findings from global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated reveal that ...Read more
Scams
AI-driven investment scams explode: Millions of fraudulent sites blocked, billions lost
In an alarming trend that has caught the attention of cybersecurity experts worldwide, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment scams has surged dramatically. Between March and October ...Read more
Scams
From awareness to accountability: Banks turn scam prevention into a core P&L discipline
Scam Awareness Week is the headline, but the real story is a structural shift: fraud prevention is moving from compliance footnote to board-level performance driver. ANZ’s 15% reduction in scam losses ...Read more
Scams
Inside ANZ’s $100m scam‑fight playbook: how banks can turn awareness into prevention
Public-service messaging won’t stop modern scammers. Australia’s banks are moving from posters to prevention, blending AI, network controls and customer friction to change outcomes. ANZ’s program ...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
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- ACE25 The Accounting Conference and Exhibition
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian AI Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Aviation Summit
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Cyber Awards
- Australian Cyber Summit
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Law Forum
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Better Business Awards
- Better Business Summit
- Broker Innovation Awards
- Broker Innovation Summit
- Budget Summit
- Corporate Counsel Summit
- Defence & National Security Workforce Awards
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- Commerical Finance Awards
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- Partner Summit
- REB Awards
- Rising Star Awards
- SME Bootcamp
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Finance Summit
- Women in Law Awards
- Women in Law Forum
PODCASTS
- Accountants Daily Podcast Network
- Australian Aviation Podcast Network
- Broker Daily Podcast Network
- Defence Connect Podcast Network
- HR Leader Podcast Network
- REB Podcast Network
- Space Connect Podcast
- The Adviser Podcast Network
- The ifa Show
- The Lawyers Weekly Show
- The Smart Property Investment Show
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.