It’s the biggest sale of the year, so it should come as no surprise that Black Friday is often targeted by online scammers.
Whether it’s fake websites or phishing emails, scammers try a variety of tactics in order to con unaware consumers out of money.
Thankfully, there are a number of key things you can look out for to make sure you don’t fall victim to a Black Friday scam.
Gareth Lockwood, General Manager EMEA at NortonLifeLock, has revealed the top scams to be aware of, as well as his top tips to stay safe while shopping online.
And remember – if it sounds too good to be true, sadly it probably is!
Top Black Friday scams to be aware of
Click and Receive
Mr Lockwood advises you to be wary of emails claiming that you’ve just received a package that you weren’t expecting.
He said: “Beware of emails on your computers and mobile devices exclaiming that you have just received a package you are not expecting from the post office or a well-known shipping vendor, especially if you did not order directly. Be wary of any message that asks you to fill out a form or provide any personal information.”
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Offer Alert
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Mr Lockwood explained: “A lot of these fake offers will try to lure you in with promises of winning free gifts. If you’ve never heard of the company, or if the known company’s logo looks slightly different in some way, get out of there.
“You might also receive emails or texts about this year’s hot or hard-to-get gift items that will lead you to rogue websites. These scams can also show up on social networking sites like Facebook too.”
Text Phishing
A common scam involves texts which pretend to warn you of suspicious activity on your account, and asks you to call a fake number where you’ll be asked to share some sensitive information.
Mr Lockwood said: “If you receive one of these, contact your financial institution directly rather than using the number the text provides. That way, you know you’re really talking to your bank or credit card company, not a scammer.
“Similarly, keep an eye out for vishing. It's just like phishing, except it occurs over the phone. When unsolicited callers contact you, always ask what business they're calling from, then hang up and call that institution's actual phone number listed on its website.”
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Fake Refunds
Other phishing emails pretend to be for refunds, according to Mr Lockwood.
He said: “It could look like it’s from a legitimate retailer and say something like “wrong transaction” or “click for refund” but the culprits just want you to click through, surrender your details or open your device up to malware.”
Fake Websites
Finally, make sure you’re on the lookout for fake website, which can be hard to differentiate from the real ones.
Mr Lockwood added: “These fake sites often rely on shoppers mistyping the genuine web addresses of popular websites or clicking on messages from phony vendors who have a similar address, so slow down and check what you’ve clicked or typed. Otherwise you could end up viewing unsavoury content or infecting your device with malware.”
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