Scammers are increasingly targeting New Zealand shoppers with counterfeit websites posing as reputable retailers like Pandora, Zara, and H&M, according to Avast Malware, which identified nearly 80,000 fake sites.
Netsafe warns Kiwis these scams designed to steal money may have already caused losses exceeding $2 billion, though Consumer NZ suggests the real figure could be far higher due to underreporting. Consumer NZ is calling for a “centralised reporting system” similar to Australia’s, arguing that better coordination could mitigate the risk and help victims navigate the reporting process more easily.
Scammers tend to exploit busy shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, preying on rushed buyers who may overlook red flags. Technological advancements have made fake sites harder to spot, with scammers creating increasingly sophisticated platforms.
While many Kiwis rely on .nz domains as a marker of legitimacy the Domain Name Commissioner cautions that these domains are globally accessible and not always indicative of authenticity. Experts urge shoppers to remain vigilant by cross-checking website credibility through multiple methods to avoid falling victim to online fraud.
Image credit: Hamed Taha
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