Black Friday sales are right around the corner but online shoppers should be wary of sneaky scammers during the bargain frenzy.

One wrong click and your bank account could be drained.

One wrong purchase and your passwords could be leaked.

One innocent-looking website sale could distribute all of your digital details.

Online scams are scary and are not uncommon with over 159,000 unsuspecting Australians hit in their hip pocket this year.

The National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch reports total losses of $259.5 million dollars.

That is 16% more than last year.

Knowledge is your best weapon and now is the time to sharpen your protections against online thieves.

With the annual black Friday sales starting to pop up, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe wants to remind shoppers to stay vigilant of suspicious deals.

“Scammers love Black Friday sales too because they know shoppers are looking for bargains and they rely on creating urgency and pressure that can come with a busy shopping period,” she said.

“We remind consumers to take their time, check the legitimacy of websites and its offers, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information online.

"A few simple checks before making a purchase can make all the difference in avoiding a scam and keeping your money safe.”

Shopping scams are the hottest hoax in Australia this year.

The ACCC has seen almost twenty thousand reports of shopping scams so far, and 9628 of these reports have resulted in a total loss of $8.6 million dollars.

Individuals should be wary of other types of online scams [SOURCED: SERVICES AUSTRALIA]. 

The National Anti-Scam Centre is also seeing more people report financial loss among vulnerable communities.

Reports show a 50% rise in first Nations people who were targeted through scams this year.

There is also a 12% rise for people with a disability and 35% for those who speak English as a second language.

Although spotting scams can be difficult, the ACCC says shoppers need to stay on the lookout this Black Friday.

Shoppers are encouraged to double check the person or organisation is real to prevent being scammed.

They should contact their bank immediately if they have lost money, shared digital details or believe they have been scammed.

The Scamwatch website published resources for people to provide support to scammer targets, including red flag signs, conversation starters and the manipulation tactics often used by the conartists.

“We’re grateful to everyone who reports scams to Scamwatch, even if they haven’t lost money," Mrs Lowe says.

"Each report helps us build a clearer picture of scam activity and strengthens our work with other organisations to disrupt these criminal networks."

Report scams here.