The 12 scams of Christmas: Phishing scams

With the festive season nearly upon us, ‘tis the season for online scams.

The Financial and Cyber Crime Group are reminding Queenslanders to be aware of Grinch-like scammers and be sure to stay alert to scams, such as phishing scams.

While retail marketing can go into overdrive at this time of year, if you receive an unsolicited email or text message, consider the possibility that it could be fraudulent.

Scammers often use this method – known as phishing emails or smishing for texts or instant messaging to drive people towards a fake website.

From here, scammers may attempt to steal money or personal data, or may infect your device with malware.

Avoid clicking on links and if you are unsure about the message authenticity, best to…