News

• A third of Australians (33%) shop online from the couch while watching TV and a third (34%) shop at the end of the day while in bed
• Meanwhile, nearly one-in-five (19%) shop on public transport and almost one-in-ten (9%) say they shop online while out with their friends
• Despite our distracted shopping habits, 94% of Australians are concerned about security as they shop online this Holiday season, with 2-in-5 (38%) more worried than they were in previous years.
• 97% of Australians buy online at least three times each week

Sydney, 20 December 2022: New research from PayPal reveals that many Australians are multitasking when purchasing online – purchasing on-the-go or while doing other activities, such as when on public transport – and with distraction, comes the risk of exposure to online scams and fraud.

It is particularly important as we head towards Boxing Day, where 1-in-5 of us (22%) will be shopping more at sales this year, and as 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 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.

“The volume and urgency of Boxing Day offers can make it easy to let your guard down, making you more susceptible to fraud and scams. It’s important to ensure you remain vigilant – if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” said Ms. Grant.

Top Tips to shop smart and have a satisfying, stress-free Boxing Day

• If you are shopping online this year, keep your financial details safe. Use a payment method, such as PayPal, that encrypts your information, protects your details, and offers a buyer protection policy on eligible purchases should something go wrong.
• There’s plenty of phish in the internet sea, so protect against malware with regular updates to your antivirus program.
• If the website looks a little suspicious, don’t click on anything and check for a URL starting with “https” and the closed padlock symbol.
• Stay calm and take stock while browsing online. Scammers often dial up the pressure with “urgent action required” or “limited time offer” messages, hoping that you’ll panic and take a risk.

Please note that interviews with PayPal Australia’s Consumer Shopping Expert are available upon request.

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About the research

This research was commissioned by PayPal Australia Pty Limited, based on an online study conducted by Pure Profile Research with n = 1000 consumers aged 18 – 75. The sample was weighted by age, gender, and location to ensure data was nationally representative. The research was in field from 26th October to 28th October 2022.

To contact PayPal Australia’s media team, please email paypalAU@edelman.com or call 0425 852 308.