Many are looking forward to the holiday season -  including scammers. 

The Christmas season is the perfect opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the increase in postal deliveries and people looking for a cheap sale. 

"Scammers are particularly active during the festive season," Chief Operating Officer for Newcastle Greater Mutual (NGM) Group, Stuart Hall said. 

According to Scamwatch, there have been 58,517 scams in NSW this year between January and October of this year amounting to more than $93 million in losses.

To keep your money in your pocket stay skeptical of any unexpected messages, verify before you buy or donate anything online, and use strong passwords or two-factor authentication to protect your bank and shopping accounts. 

"Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated but there are ways to stay one step ahead.

"Parcel delivery scams are on the rise with scammers sending fake notifications about unpaid fees or missed deliveries," Mr Hall said. 

One of the most recent scams involving postal deliveries shows scammers sending a text asking the person to confirm their address.

These scams are sent using the sender ID 'Auspost' and even appear in the same chat as legitimate messages from Auspost making them seem like the real deal. '

 An example of how both legitimate and fake Auspost messages can appear in the same chat. Photo: AusPost

The primary age group falling prey to the scams were 65 and over, followed by 55- to 64-year-olds. 

NGM Group also urged the public to keep a close eye on their vulnerable friends and family and assist them with online shopping. 

"Knowing the warning signs and being aware of common scams can make a huge difference." 

"If you suspect you've been scammed, report it to the ACCC and contact your bank straight away so they can help secure your accounts.

"Taking a moment to think before you click or make a payment can prevent a lot of headaches"