Norton survey warns Kiwis of rising holiday shopping scams

A survey conducted by Norton has highlighted the significant risks associated with online scams targeting holiday shoppers in New Zealand.

The survey reveals that three-quarters of New Zealanders perceive a rise in scams during the Christmas holiday season, with a quarter having previously been targeted by scams in past festive periods.

Further analysis showed that online shopping scams caused the most harm, affecting 50% of victims, while phishing scams impacted 28% and package delivery scams caught 26% of individuals.

Kiwis are increasingly worried about their personal details being compromised, with 71% expressing such concerns and 61% wary of falling victim to AI-driven shopping scams.

In addition to this, financial pressures are pushing many to potentially risky behaviour, with over 60% of online shoppers having taken some action to secure discount codes, like providing personal contact details, which elevates their exposure to data risks.

The study indicates that two in five Kiws would provide their phone number and email address for a discount of 25% or less, revealing a risky trade-off between data security and short-term financial savings. Mark Gorrie, Managing Director for Norton APAC, commented on this trend saying, "What's particularly concerning is how the pressure to save money in a high-cost-of-living environment makes people more likely to engage with suspicious deals, despite their awareness of the risks. Their willingness to hand over personal data – phone numbers, email addresses, and other sensitive information – to secure deals and overlook potential red flags grows can leave them vulnerable, not only to losing personal data but also to significant financial losses."

Scams during the holiday season result in substantial financial damages; 83% of those scammed reported financial loss, with the average sum lost being NZD $1,356. In extreme cases, losses reached as high as NZD $50,000. Gorrie warned, "The balance between seeking holiday savings and protecting personal data is becoming harder to maintain. In a time when scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially with the surge of AI-driven scams and third-party retailers, Kiwis should remain cautious. Don't let the temptation of a 'too good to be true' online offer lead to long-term financial pain."

Gorrie also noted a rise in specific types of cyber threats during the holiday shopping season, including malvertising, which saw an over 53% increase in attacks last year, and adware, which went up by 227% over the same period.

To counter these risks, Norton urges New Zealanders to be vigilant and offers several tips. This includes avoiding fake stores by only downloading apps from trusted sources, being cautious with online marketplaces, avoiding phishing by not clicking unsolicited links, skipping saving payment info online, using secure payment options, and employing device protection software.

The insights from the Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday Shopping, which covered 1,000 adult participants in New Zealand, underscore the critical need for heightened awareness and protective measures against online shopping scams, especially during the high-risk holiday shopping season.