Are you excited about this year’s Black Friday shopping spree?
Be careful, as this excitement to grab the best online deals has its pitfalls. Scammers are always finding a way to exploit your excitement and create traps that can lead to your money or identity getting stolen.
To help online shoppers, we created a simple yet effective guide on how to avoid the most dangerous and prevalent Black Friday online scams in 2024.
1. Fake Retail Websites
How It Works
In 2023, scammers created fake websites mimicking popular stores like Walmart and Best Buy. Unsuspecting shoppers entered their payment information, thinking they were buying discounted items, only to lose hundreds of dollars.
How to Spot Them
– URLs with slight misspellings (e.g., amazzon.com or walmart-deals.net).
– Lack of HTTPS (no padlock icon in the address bar).
– Poor grammar or low-quality images on the site.
How to Stay Safe
– Always type the retailer’s official website URL into your browser manually.
– Use secure payment methods like credit cards or services like PayPal that offer buyer protection.
2. Phishing Emails and Texts
How It Works
Last year, a phishing scam used fake Amazon emails, claiming accounts were locked due to suspicious activity. Victims clicked on a link, entered their passwords, and unknowingly gave scammers access to their accounts.
How to Spot Them
– Offers that seem “too good to be true.”
– Urgent language like “Act now!” or “Your account is locked.”
– Email addresses or sender IDs that don’t match the official company.
How to Stay Safe
– Avoid clicking on links in unexpected email messages, especially those equipped with luring and urgent subjects.
– Verify promotions by visiting the retailer’s official website or app.
3. Counterfeit Product Deals
How It Works
There have been plenty of cases of social media ads (e.g. Facebook and Instagram) promoting AirPods at unbelievably low prices.
Not surprisingly, if you are tricked by such an ad, you may end up receiving cheap knockoffs that may not work at all. In addition, you also end up revealing your financial and personal information to scammers.
How to Spot Them
– Prices significantly lower than other retailers.
– Sellers with no reviews or questionable histories.
– Vague product descriptions or poor-quality images.
How to Stay Safe
– Research the seller and read reviews before purchasing.
– Stick to well-known retailers and marketplaces.
4. Gift Card Scams
How It Works
A common gift card scam on social media involves scammers selling fake gift cards (e.g. Target) at a 50% discount. Buyers would realize the cards are invalid when they attempt to use them.
How to Spot Them
– Third-party websites with limited contact information.
– No buyer protection or refund policy.
How to Stay Safe
– Buy gift cards directly from official retailers or authorized sellers.
5. Bogus Shipping Notifications
How It Works
Last year, for example, thousands of shoppers received fake texts claiming packages from UPS required additional payment for delivery. Victims clicked on the link, entered credit card details, and were charged unauthorized fees.
How to Spot Them
– Notifications from carriers you didn’t use.
– Requests for payment to release your package.
– Poorly formatted emails or odd sender addresses.
How to Stay Safe
– Track shipments only via using the retailer’s website or app.
– Avoid clicking any suspicious links, and always visit carriers’ official sites directly.
What to Do If You Fall Victim to a Black Friday Scam
There are several simple but crucial steps that you need to follow:
- Act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to freeze or dispute the transaction.
- Change passwords. If your account information was compromised, update your passwords on all linked accounts.
- Report the scam as soon as possible. File a complaint with your country’s cybercrime or consumer protection agency. For instance, in the U.S., report to the FTC or IC3.
- Monitor your accounts. Check for unauthorized transactions and consider a credit monitoring service to prevent identity theft.
Where to Report Black Friday Scams?
If you suspect you’ve encountered a Black Friday scam, reporting it can help protect others and aid authorities in taking action. Here’s where to report scams based on your location:
– United States: Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via reportfraud.ftc.gov. For online scams, you can also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
– United Kingdom: Contact Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
– Canada: Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
– Australia: Use the Scamwatch tool provided by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) at scamwatch.gov.au.
– European Union: Contact your country’s consumer protection agency or use the European Consumer Centre Network (ECC-Net) at ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/.
Remember to also alert the affected retailer or platform, as they may be able to remove fraudulent listings or websites more quickly.
How to Shop Safely This Black Friday
The best way to enjoy Black Friday deals without falling victim to scams is to stay informed and take smart steps to secure your online shopping experience. Based on the information we provided in this article, here’s a more detailed guide on shopping safely:
- Use trusted sources. Always shop directly from official retailer websites or well-known platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Walmart. Bookmark the legitimate URLs of your favorite stores to avoid accidentally landing on scam sites. Avoid clicking on ads, social media promotions, or email links unless you are 100% sure of their authenticity.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Activate MFA on your online shopping accounts, email, and payment platforms like PayPal. This feature requires an extra verification step, such as a code sent to your phone, making it harder for hackers to access your account even if they steal your password.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi. Shopping over public Wi-Fi in cafes, airports, or malls can expose your data to cybercriminals. If you must shop while out, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your sensitive information.
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Watch for red flags. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Common red flags include:
- Massive discounts on high-demand items like gaming consoles or smartphones.
- Unrealistic promises such as “Free iPhone with any purchase.”
- Poorly designed websites, excessive pop-ups, or slow-loading pages.
- Emails or ads pressuring you to act immediately with phrases like “Hurry! Only 1 left!”
- Use secure payment methods. Avoid direct bank transfers or prepaid gift cards. Opt for credit cards or trusted payment gateways like PayPal, which offer buyer protection in case of fraud. Check your statements regularly during and after Black Friday to spot unauthorized charges early.
- Keep software updated. Ensure your device’s operating system, browsers, and antivirus software are up-to-date. Updates often include security patches that protect you from the latest threats.
- Be wary of social media deals. Many scammers use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote fake deals or counterfeit products. Check the seller’s profile, reviews, and website authenticity before making a purchase.
- Use strong and unique passwords. Create unique passwords for each online account. Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely.
By combining these precautionary steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams and make the most of your Black Friday shopping experience. In conclusion, we would also say that using a trustworthy anti-malware program will add another layer of protection. Thanks to its real-time protection and the capability to block malicious websites, such a program will ensure a peace of mind and a calm Black Friday shopping experience.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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