Being on the lookout for bargains this Black Friday could make you vulnerable to scammers, the consumer watchdog warns.

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Shopping scams have risen this year, and buyers are being urged to be extra cautious when the pressure to snag a good deal is on.

In the first nine months of 2025, Australians reported losing nearly $260 million in more than 150,000 separate scams, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on Tuesday.

Shopping scams were the most common ruse, rising 19 per cent this year, sparking warnings for those looking for Christmas or Black Friday bargains online.

"Scamming is a numbers game ... they are sophisticated

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