PayPal Australia is partnering with the Australian Federal Police to ensure that Australian shoppers remain cautious and safe when shopping online this holiday season. Estimates show that consumers will spend over $30.2 billion online by the end of 2011.

“This Christmas, Australians will be taking advantage of the huge range of unique gift ideas on offer, not only from well-known Aussie brands, but also from thousands of smaller boutique-style retailers,” PayPal Australia Director of Strategy Andrew Rechtman said. “Over 4 million online shoppers now use PayPal, allowing them to shop without sharing their personal financial information…”

Read the full PayPal press release to learn more about PayPal Australia’s partnership with the AFP and to find useful tips for protecting your identity when shopping online, whether in Australia or across the globe in the United States.