Black Friday is a time when shoppers are looking for the best deals of the year. Also, this commercial strategy helps retailers to have a successful Christmas season.
However, it is not only the best time to find good deals for your Christmas gifts but also the perfect moment for scammers. Unfortunately, this is a time when scammers are looking to take advantage of people due to the increase of people surfing the web and using their personal and banking information to make purchases.
This blog post will discuss some of the Black Friday scams you need to watch out for this year. We will also provide tips on how to protect yourself from being scammed. So, if you are shopping online, be sure to stay alert and avoid becoming a victim!
Phishing emails
Be on the lookout for phishing emails from scammers attempting to take advantage of unsuspecting people as Black Friday approaches. Here are some of the more common types of phishing emails to look out for:
- Verify your account: One of the most popular types of scams out there is the verification scam. Scammers will pose as someone trying to hack into your account or needing to update your information for security purposes, all in an attempt to steal your personal information.
- Information about your order: Scammers frequently use phishing emails to try and gain personal information. They can be order confirmations or problems with your purchase, for example. These scams typically don’t supply you with information about your purchase until you provide sensitive information.
- Click to receive a package: Scammers may send messages with deceptive links that appear to be from a reputable organization in an attempt to steal your personal information. They urge the user to click on a link in order to receive their shipment. Hackers will instead steal the data supplied by the victim or install malware on their computers.
- Problems with your billing: Scammers often create a sense of urgency in their emails to you, saying that your billing information is incorrect and that if you don’t change it immediately, you’ll lose your chance at the order. They hope you’ll panic and enter your bank details into their fake website that looks like the official.
Black Friday voucher scams
Some fraudsters are taking advantage of the pandemic by creating fake vouchers that look like they’re coming from well-known supermarkets. These voucher messages come with URLs that can be difficult to tell apart from the real store websites.
Social media scams
Scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to defraud people, and social media platforms have given them a platform on which they can do so. Every day, more individuals use these sites to shop for goods, and con artists are actively developing scams to catch our attention. Small web pages with offers on pricey items should be avoided. Always verify the seller’s ratings, the number of reviews, and the website’s URL domain.
Final thoughts:
Black Friday is a great time to score some amazing deals. However, it’s also a time when scammers are out in full force. Knowing the most common types of scams during Black Friday and following the tips we’ve outlined above can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of one of these scams. Stay safe and happy shopping!