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End-of-financial-year sales are one of the best times to grab a bargain, but also one of the busiest periods for online scams and misleading offers. Reminder: your rights under the Australian Consumer Law still apply even against items that are on sale or discounted.
Every June, Australian retailers slash prices to clear stock before the financial year ends. For many shoppers, this is a genuine opportunity to save on big-ticket items like home appliances, mobility aids, and personal technology. But EOFY sales also bring a surge in online scams, fake websites, and products offloaded with little to no after-sales support. If you are shopping online this end of financial year, being wary of scams and bad actors will save you time and money.

For many of us, the end-of-financial-year sales are one of the best opportunities to buy big-ticket items at significantly reduced prices!

But EOFY sales are also one of the busiest periods for online scammers, misleading deals, and products being offloaded with little to no after-sales support. For older Australians and people with disability, the risks of falling prey to scammers are significantly higher. This guide covers what to watch for, what you are entitled to, and how to shop with confidence.

Who Is Most at Risk? 

Two major Australian reports published in 2025 paint a sobering picture of how scams and fraud disproportionately affect people living with disability and older Australians.

84%

of Australians 50+ have encountered or been a victim of a scam

63%

suspect they were targeted by a scam in the past 12 months alone

1.1M

Australians with disability experienced fraud in a single 12-month period

79%

of scam victims report negative impacts on their emotional wellbeing

Personal fraud prevalence by disability status

Sources: ABS Personal Fraud Survey 2023-24, Disability and Crime report, November 2025. Persons aged 15 and over.

Card fraud

With disability
11.7%
Without disability
9.3%

Scams

With disability
4.4%
Without disability
2.6%

Identity theft

With disability
1.8%
Without disability
0.9%

Online impersonation

With disability
3.1%
Without disability
1.6%

Recovery gap: people with disability get less back

When card fraud occurs, 67% of people with disability received a full bank reimbursement, this is compared to 75% of people without disability. 

Source: ABS Disability and Crime report 2025.

Why does EOFY make this worse?

When a retailer marks a product down by 40% or 50% in June, it is often because the item is about to be discontinued and superseded by a newer model. 

This is not always a bad thing, but it does mean you need to ask some important questions before you buy:

  • Is this product still supported by the manufacturer?
  • Will spare parts and accessories still be available in 12 to 24 months?
  • Does the warranty period start today (the date of purchase), or was it activated when the item was first manufactured?

The ACCC confirms that your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply regardless of whether a product is on sale. Visit the ACCC consumer rights page for the full breakdown.

Online Scams Peak in June

The Australian Seniors Scams Report (November 2025) found phone calls, emails and SMS are the most common contact methods used by scammers targeting people over 50. 

Fake websites were reported by 1 in 4. The most common tactics are urgency or scarcity and impersonating authority or trusted organisations.

Red flags to watch for online

  • Misspelled web addresses 
    Always type a retailer's URL directly, never click a link from an email or social media post
  • Prices that seem impossible 
    If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is
  • Unusual payment requests 
    Bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are methods scammers use. Legitimate retailers accept at least EFTPOS, credit cards and cash.
  • AI-generated messages 
    One in four seniors surveyed had experienced AI-driven scams, including text and audio messages that sound convincingly human. If something feels off, hang up or close the browser and delete the message.

Your Warranty Rights

Under the Australian Consumer Law, products must come with automatic guarantees regardless of whether they are on sale. These include acceptable quality, fitness for purpose, and a match to the description. A "no returns" sign or fine-print disclaimer cannot remove these rights.

There is also a key difference between the manufacturer's warranty (typically one to two years) and your rights under Australian Consumer Law, which can extend well beyond that period for expensive items. 

Always ask who to contact if something goes wrong, whether there is a local service centre, and whether the warranty covers parts and labour or just parts.

Read the ACCC warranty guide for plain-English detail, and check CHOICE for independent reliability ratings before committing to any significant purchase.

Smart Shopping Checklist for EOFY 

Before you complete any EOFY purchase, run through these steps.

Verify the retailer

Go directly to the retailer's official website; do not click links from unsolicited emails.

Check reviews on Google for the product and retailer.

Before you buy

Compare the sale price against the usual retail price on at least two other websites.

Check whether the product is a current or discontinued model.

Read an independent review at choice.com.au if one is available.

Confirm the warranty period and what it covers.

When you pay

Use a credit card or PayPal for extra consumer protection.

Keep your order confirmation, receipt, and all original packaging.

Take a screenshot of the product listing in case the descriptions change after purchase.

If something goes wrong

Contact the retailer in writing first, email creates a paper trail

If unresolved, escalate to your state consumer affairs office or the ACCC

Report scams to Scamwatch, 16% of seniors who lost money told nobody. Reporting helps protect others

If You Support Someone: Helping Them Stay Safe Without Taking Over

If you care for or support an older Australian or someone living with disability. People living with disability are nearly twice as likely to experience identity theft and online impersonation. Older Australians face near-constant contact from scammers. 

The key is building awareness and practical safeguards, not restricting independence or autonomy.

Conversations to have before EOFY

Talk through the most common scam types together (AusPost parcel scams, ATO calls, and overdue payment texts top the list for older Australians). Familiarity makes them easier to identify.

Agree on a "pause and check" rule, if something feels rushed or too good to be true, pause and call you before proceeding. Frame this as a team approach, not supervision.

Share this article with them, or read through it together; knowledge shared is more empowering than warnings given.

Practical safeguards to set up together

Bookmark trusted retailers in their browser so they never need to search for a site or click a link from an email

Enable two-factor authentication on email and shopping accounts; only 53% of seniors surveyed had done this

Set up a low-limit card for online shopping, a $500 or $1,000 limit, which covers any loss from fraud without restricting their independence

Install antivirus software if it is not already in place,  45% of seniors surveyed do not have it on their device

How CAN YOU help without taking over?

Let them make the decision! Your role is to be a sounding board, not a gatekeeper. "What do you think about this deal?" is more empowering than "I'll check it for you"

Avoid framing past scam experiences with shame or blame! 63% of people who lost money to a scam already feel embarrassed, which often stops them from reaching out for help in the future.

EOFY sales are a genuine opportunity to save money. Know your rights, verify who you are buying from, and never let urgency push you into a purchase you have not checked. 

Just Better Care SUPPORT Services

Getting Out & About

From shopping trips to social outings, your local
 Just Better Care  team provides safe, friendly transport support for older Australians and people with disability 

Explore Travel & Transport Support

Transport support may be available through your Support at Home funding or NDIS plan. Talk to your local Just Better Care office to talk about Travel and Transport support.

Watch: Spotting the Deals That Are Too Good to Be True

EOFY sales season brings genuine bargains — but it also brings a surge in fake websites, misleading offers, and scams designed to exploit the rush. In this short video from 7 News aired on Friday, 12 June 2026, Australian consumer reporters break down what shoppers need to watch out for this June, from ghost stores on social media to counterfeit retailer sites that look almost identical to the real thing. It is a timely reminder that the best deal is one you have properly checked.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if an EOFY deal is genuine or a scam?

Start by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking a link from an email, SMS, or social media ad. Check that the web address is spelled correctly and matches the retailer's known domain. Compare the sale price on at least two other sites. If a price is dramatically lower than anywhere else, treat it with suspicion. 


You can also search the business name plus "review" or "scam" on Google before purchasing, or check Scamwatch to see if the business has been reported.

What payment methods are safest for online shopping?

Credit cards and PayPal offer the strongest consumer protections, including chargeback rights if a product does not arrive or a charge is fraudulent. Avoid any retailer that only accepts bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency; these are payment methods scammers prefer because they are difficult or impossible to reverse. 


If you are setting up online shopping for someone you support, consider a low-limit card dedicated to online purchases to limit potential loss.

Are my consumer rights different when buying sale items?

No. Under Australian Consumer Law, your rights apply equally to sale items, clearance stock, and end-of-season products. A retailer cannot remove your right to a remedy by displaying a "no returns on sale items" sign or including a disclaimer in the fine print. If a product is faulty, not fit for purpose, or does not match its description, you are entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund regardless of the price you paid. 


Read the ACCC consumer guarantees guide for the full detail.

What should I do if I think I have been scammed?

Act quickly. Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the transaction and ask about having it reversed. Then report the scam to Scamwatch, this helps authorities warn others and shut down fraudulent operations. 


If you shared personal information such as your Medicare number, tax file number, or login credentials, contact IDCARE (1800 595 160), Australia's national identity and cyber support service. 


Do not feel embarrassed about reporting! 63% of people who lose money to scams feel ashamed, which stops them from exploring options to recover their losses.

How can I tell if a website is legitimate before I buy?

Check several things: the URL should match the retailer's known address exactly, with no extra words, hyphens, or unusual domain extensions. Look for a padlock icon in the browser bar, this confirms the connection is encrypted, though note that scam sites can also have HTTPS. 


If the site has no physical address, no Australian contact number, or only accepts unusual payment methods, leave it and buy elsewhere.

Why are people with disability more likely to be targeted by scammers?

The ABS Disability and Crime report (2025) found that people with disability experience personal fraud at a rate of 18.1%, compared to 12.9% for people without disability. 


Scammers often target people who rely heavily on digital communication for services, appointments, and deliveries. They also exploit urgency and authority. Being aware of this higher risk is the first step to staying protected. 

How do I check whether an EOFY product is discontinued or no longer supported?

Search the exact product model number on the manufacturer's official website to see whether it is current or discontinued. Check whether accessories, spare parts, and software updates are still available. 


For tech products, look at CHOICE for independent reviews that often include reliability and support ratings. If you are buying assistive technology or a medical device, check with your Just Better Care team member or Care Partner before purchasing. They may know which products perform well in home settings and whether funding through Support at Home or your NDIS plan could apply.

Can I use my Support at Home or NDIS funding to buy technology or equipment during the EOFY sales?

Possibly, depending on your individual plan and funding classification. Support at Home funding can cover some assistive technology, home modifications, and equipment. NDIS plans may include capacity building or assistive technology budgets that could apply to devices that support independence. 


However, purchasing outside an approved plan or without prior approval may result in costs not being reimbursed. Always speak with your Just Better Care team member, Support Coordinator, or Care Partner before making a significant purchase you intend to claim through funding.