Consumer Protection is urging shoppers to be cyber-safe this Christmas by being vigilant to scams while shopping online.
In a statement, the Agency said fake websites and social media advertising could set a trap for online shoppers and put them at risk of losing their money.
“In 2021, WA consumers lost almost $730,000 to online shopping scams,” Consumer Protection said.
“Our advice to consumers is to shop only on well-known and reliable websites and, if websites ask for direct bank transfer as the only payment method, be very suspicious.”
It said paying by credit card or a secure payment method such as PayPal was safer as there was a greater chance of getting the money back if the gift was not delivered.
“To be totally safe, the best option for Christmas shoppers is to buy from a local ‘bricks and mortar’ store, where they can take immediate possession of the gift and not be impacted by potential delays in postage,” the Aency said.
Minister for Commerce, Roger Cook said that in order to make Christmas shopping at stores more convenient, 33 extra trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area had been approved and would begin on 10 December and end on 2 January 2023.
“During this period, Sunday and public holiday trading has been extended an extra four hours a day, 8am to 6pm (normally 11am to 5pm), with an additional one hour on Saturdays, 8am to 6pm (normally 8am to 5pm),” Mr Cook said.
“From 19 December until Christmas Eve inclusive, larger shops can choose to open one hour earlier from 7am until 9pm on weekdays (normally 8am to 9pm).”
In addition, trading for the Australia Day public holiday on 26 January 2023 would be extended by four hours, 8am to 6pm.
“This means an extra 57 hours of trading have been added between the March Labour Day holidays this year and Australia Day next year,” Mr Cook said.
