Aussies have lost up to $260 million to scams since January, new data has revealed.

With two massive sales periods in Black Friday and Boxing Day fast approaching, the National Anti-Scam Centre's Scamwatch report has revealed there were nearly 160,000 reports of scams from January to September this year.

Online scams were the most common type seen, with scams beginning with contact on social media or through fake ads or websites, resulting in $122 million being lost.

Experts are urging customers to be aware of shopping scams that could come up during Black Friday, which is now the biggest sale period of the year, as they try to find great bargains.

"Scammers love Black Friday sales too because they know shoppers are looking for bargains and they rely on creating urgency and pressure

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