Bank Impersonation Scams – We're aware of fraudsters impersonating bank employees. Always verify by calling our advertised number prior to giving any personal details.
Bank Impersonation Scams – We're aware of fraudsters impersonating bank employees. Always verify by calling our advertised number prior to giving any personal details.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…a fake text asking for a delivery fee?
Unfortunately, the festive season isn’t just a time for giving, celebrating and connecting – it’s also a prime time for scammers.
The holiday season can provide ample opportunities for fraudsters to trick unsuspecting victims. “In the weeks leading into Christmas, consumers are often shopping online, donating to charities and rushing to get things wrapped up by the end of the year,” says Kristy Pless, Assistant Manager of Fraud at Qudos Bank. “Scammers prey on this busy ‘silly season’.”
Kristy says some scams spike in popularity during the festive season, such as online shopping scams. “These come up a lot around big sales periods, like November’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales that tend to mark the start of the holiday shopping season,” she says.
Scammers create convincing but fake websites, often impersonating big name popular brands, offering big discounts for in-demand items. These sites often have limited contact information and ask for unsecured payment methods, such as bank transfers or cryptocurrency. Once payment is made, there is no likelihood of recovery.
Scammers send fake emails and text messages pretending to be from trusted companies – often delivery services – claiming there’s an issue with your package or asking you to “verify” account information or pay redelivery fees. “This can be particularly tricky if you’re actually waiting on package deliveries,” Kristy says. “Always refer back to your original order confirmation email for delivery details, rather than generic SMS or emails.”
You might receive a message appearing to be from a friend, family member or even your boss asking you to urgently buy gift cards. The scammer then asks you to share the card numbers and PINs before immediately using the funds, which become impossible to recover.
Online classifieds scams often involve fake sellers requesting upfront payments for popular items advertised at irresistible prices – playing on the fear of missing out – only for the goods to never arrive. Alternatively, fake buyers may send ‘overpayments’ and pressure sellers to refund the difference, only for the original payment never to arrive. “These platforms are convenient for selling unwanted items, but they can be a breeding ground for scammers,” Kristy says. “Always verify the person you are dealing with via video call prior to making payment or pay for the item upon pick up.”
“Almost all scams share common warning signs,” Kristy says. “They’re all signals that you need to stop and question what’s happening.”
While scam attempts can ramp up over the festive shopping period, a few extra precautions can keep you safe.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, but a little caution can go a long way this holiday shopping season. “Education and awareness is key,” Kristy says. “Please share this information with friends and family – especially those who might be more vulnerable – and help keep loved ones safe from scams.”
To learn more about how to spot and protect yourself from scams, visit Qudos Bank’s fraud and security hub. And remember: #Stop. #Think. #Protect.
November 2025
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