Australians warned of AI scams ahead of Black Friday sales rush
Australians are being urged to remain vigilant as cybercriminals deploy increasingly sophisticated tactics during upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Microsoft's National Security Officer, Mark Anderson, has highlighted how new technology, including artificial intelligence, is enabling fraudsters to create more convincing scams than ever before.
AI-powered scams
With many people seeking deals online, scammers are turning to artificial intelligence tools to produce fake shopping websites, complete with realistic product descriptions and customer reviews. This can make it difficult for even experienced shoppers to distinguish genuine retailers from fraudulent ones.
"Threat actors see technologies, like AI, as tools to turbocharge their efforts and break through vulnerabilities. With AI now helping scammers build fake shopping sites in minutes, complete with realistic product descriptions and reviews, it's getting harder to tell what's real and what's not. They can be very sophisticated," said Mark Anderson, National Security Officer, Microsoft ANZ.
Key warning signs
Anderson warns that deeply discounted offers or flash sales using urgent deadlines should be treated with suspicion. He advises consumers to pause before acting on deals that seem unusually cheap or come with aggressive time constraints, suggesting these could be designed to manipulate shoppers into making hasty decisions.
Website authenticity
Fake retailer websites remain a staple of online fraud. Anderson stresses the importance of double-checking website addresses, looking for subtle spelling errors or suspicious domain names. He recommends accessing retailers via trusted search engines, rather than following links in unsolicited emails or messages, to avoid phishing attacks.
Account security measures
Many breaches are the result of weak or repeated passwords. Anderson recommends setting up unique passphrases and enabling multi-factor authentication across all accounts, describing these as some of the most effective deterrents against account compromise. Basic security steps, he notes, are often enough to block many cybercriminals.
Regularly updating device software is also critical. Security updates frequently contain patches for vulnerabilities that attackers seek to exploit. Automatic updates are advised to ensure ongoing protection.
Bank monitoring
Anderson suggests monitoring bank and credit accounts closely during the sales period. Rapidly noticing and acting on unauthorized transactions can limit financial damage and speed up the recovery process if a scam does occur.
Personal information threats
Social engineering remains a key tactic for scammers. Shoppers are encouraged not to disclose sensitive information to unknown or unverified contacts. Anderson also points out that information from social media can be used in targeted scam attempts, including impersonation of friends or family.
He proposes that families agree on a 'safe word' system to confirm identities when communicating about financial matters, providing an added layer of protection against impersonators.
Reporting scams
If consumers suspect they have been targeted by a scam, immediate action is urged. Anderson recommends reporting incidents to Scamwatch or contacting IDCARE for support. Checking in with family and friends, especially those who may be less familiar with online scams, is also highlighted as an important step in keeping communities safe online.
"As Australians gear up for Black Friday, it's essential that shoppers stay alert to the risks. Scammers are counting on people to let their guard down in the rush for a bargain. But with a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risks," said Anderson.
