Australians' shopping habits may leave online buyers at risk this Boxing Day

Photo by Arturo Rey on Unsplash

Multitasking when purchasing online while doing other activities is not a good idea comes with the risk of exposure to online scams and fraud.

It is generally not a good idea to multitask while purchasing online, as it can increase the risk of exposure to online scams and fraud. When making online purchases, it is important to focus on the task at hand and be aware of potential scams and fraudulent activity. This includes paying attention to the website you are using, the information you are providing, and any suspicious activity or requests for personal information.

The new research was conducted by Pure Profile Research and was commissioned by Paypal Australia Pty ltd.

The research revealed that 1-in-5 of us (22%) will, in fact, be shopping more at sales this year, and 97% of Aussies are clicking to buy online at least three times a week.

Online shopping used to mean sitting at the computer, however, Australians are now shopping anytime, anywhere, and are at risk of distraction.

So, just how distracted are consumers?

A third of Australians (33%) shop from the couch while watching TV, a third (34%) shop at the end of the day while in bed, and most likely tired, nearly one-in-five (19%) shop on public transport, and almost one-in-ten (9%) say they shop online while out with their friends.

 “Shopping online is easy and convenient, and our mobiles have empowered us to buy what we want when we want. But it’s important to stay alert and ensure we’re shopping safely and mindfully,” said Danielle Grant, PayPal Shopping Expert.

Security is a key concern for Australians shopping online 

94% of Australians are concerned about safety and security as they shop online this Holiday season, with close to 2-in-5 (38%) being more concerned than in previous years.

Security or trust issues are preventing 60% of us from checking out once we’ve filled our carts – a figure that rises for older consumers, with more than 66% of Gen X and Baby Boomers unlikely to purchase if they have security concerns. In fact, security is the top reason Australians abandon online purchases, with a third of Australians (31%) saying they have started an online purchase but abandoned it at checkout due to security concerns.