AI-driven scams are on the rise in Australia as shoppers lose A$445 each

McAfee has released new research warning consumers in Australia of an increase in scams targeting holiday shoppers. Technology and luxury brands are among the brands most frequently imitated by cybercriminals.

Increasing fraud activity

Almost one in five Australians have lost money to holiday scams in recent years, with the average reported loss being A$445. The study found that 89% of respondents saw advertising from unknown retailers as early as October, while fraudulent web addresses increased by around 10% in the weeks leading up to major shopping events, reflecting increased criminal activity ahead of the holiday season.

Prominent types of fraud

Four major scams were highlighted: fake retail websites and listing pages, fraudulent social media advertising like on TikTok, fraudulent delivery and shipping SMS, and gift card or account verification fraud. These scams often use counterfeit brand images and messages to…