Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), the state's consumer watchdog, has issued this warning after detecting a surge in deceptive websites imitating Australian retailers.
Bradley Wagg, acting director of consumer affairs and fair trading for Tasmania, described the scam websites as mimicking legitimate local businesses and falsely claiming to operate from Australian locations.
He noted that many of these sites claim to be closing due to financial hardship and promote fake sales with steep discounts.
"In reality, these operators are often based overseas, not closing down and typically drop-ship low-quality products," he said.
"While items are advertised as high-quality and heavily discounted, consumers frequently receive cheap, mass-produced goods that fail to match the advertised description."
Customers seeking refunds may find operators unresponsive or may require them to return items to overseas addresses at their own expense, often resulting in only a partial refund. Even when orders arrive, consumers may receive incorrect sizes, poor-quality items, or misleading descriptions.
Wagg advised consumers to research online stores thoroughly before making a purchase.
"Unrealistic discounts may indicate a scam, poor grammar, strange photos or pressure tactics are warning signs," he said.
"Under Australian Consumer Law, these issues may entitle consumers to a remedy, but ghost store operators often refuse to comply."
Jeweller has reported extensively on the issue of ghost stores over the past year, including the measures jewellery retailers have taken to put an end to these scammers' antics.
Consumers are encouraged to check that the website address ends in .com.au, verify that a physical address and phone number are listed, and consult independent reviews. Anyone who suspects a ghost store or believes they have purchased from one should file a complaint with CBOS.
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