With “The Life of a Showgirl” officially confirmed and pre-orders now live, NAB has released information urging Taylor Swift fans to stay vigilant against scammers looking to profit from the excitement.
From fake pre-order pages and counterfeit merch sites to fraudulent “leaked track” downloads, scammers are capitalising on Taylor-mania to make quick money.
They say that in reports that they stop and recovers nearly $2 million in scam payments every month. According to Tessa Bowles, NAB’s Head of Security Culture and Advisory, heightened anticipation often leads to impulsive purchases, making it crucial for fans to stop, check, and protect themselves.
“Before sharing your payment details, ensure you’re paying for the real deal—not a cheap imitation,” said Ms. Bowles.
Common Scam Red Flags to Watch For:
- Fake pre-order websites: Imitating Taylor’s official store to steal payment details or fail to deliver products altogether.
- ‘Leaked track’ links: Promising early access to songs but instead infecting devices with malware.
- Social media giveaways: Fraudsters impersonating official accounts, offering “exclusive access” in exchange for personal details or fees.
- Compromised friend accounts: Selling fake “spare” merch or bogus pre-order access codes.
Ms. Bowles emphasizes the safest way to enjoy the album hype is by sticking to official sources.
“Stay in your Safe-Ty Era by using verified pages and trusted retailers,” she advises. “Navigate to these sites by typing the web address directly, rather than clicking on unsolicited links.”
She also warns that scammers exploit urgency and fear. “If you see offers like ‘last chance’ or ‘get in quick’ that sound too good to be true, pause and double-check. Always proceed with caution.”
For purchases made through social media or online marketplaces, Ms. Bowles recommends reviewing seller profiles, checking for genuine reviews, and being wary of red flags like requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. She also highlights the benefits of using PayID, which allows buyers to verify the recipient’s name before sending payments, reducing fraud risk.
While banks do everything possible to recover stolen funds, reclaiming money can be challenging once payments are sent, especially if scammers funnel it overseas or into cryptocurrency platforms.
To minimize risks, Australians are encouraged to:
- Keep software on all devices updated.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Activate multi-factor authentication where available.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to Scamwatch to help prevent others from falling victim.
