Black Friday is the major shopping holiday. This event is usually the day after thanksgiving when customers are looking to take advantage of great deals. This season is essential for the economy, especially for retailers. Unfortunately, this also makes it a prime time for scammers to launch phishing attacks. In this blog post, we will teach you how to identify Black Friday phishing emails so that you can protect yourself from being scammed. Stay safe online this holiday season!
Look out for the following Friday Scams on Black Friday:
As a marketing strategy, most companies use mailing and text messages as effective ways to communicate with their customers and offer discounts on Black Friday. Sadly, cybercriminals use this time of the year to make different types of scams that are common during the Black Friday season.
Phishing emails are one of the most common types of scams during Black Friday. These fraudulent emails appear to be from a legitimate company or website but are actually from scammers. Hackers will often use links or attachments to install malware on your computer or device, leading to a fake website. There, they will ask for personal and financial information. Here are some of the more common sorts to watch out for:
Account verification scams
These emails trick you into thinking there is a problem with your account and that you need to click on a link to verify your information. They’ll say somebody tried to hack your account or that they need your information for a security update – both ways intending to steal from you.
For example, this type of scam is very common with Amazon accounts. What you should do to avoid this scam is always to check the URL of the website you’re on. If it’s not the same as Amazon’s URL, don’t enter any information. Also, remember that Amazon will never ask you to verify your account information via email – they will only do so through their website.
Another way to identify this scam is by looking at the grammar in the email. Many times, these emails are poorly written and have grammatical errors. This is a red flag that should make you suspicious of the email.
Bogus order confirmation
While most of the online order confirmation emails are authentic, some may have ulterior motives. In this type of scam, you will receive an email saying that you have placed an order, but when you click on the link, it takes you to a fake website where that will ask for your personal and financial information. Most of the time, they won’t tell you what the order is, and they will force you to click on a link to find out. Once you click on the fake link, you will be directed to a page that looks exactly like the business’s official web page, but the hackers will see your personal information once you enter it.
To prevent being a victim of this type of scam, you should never click on links in emails unless you are sure they are legitimate. Always check the email address you received and make sure it’s an official one. If you’re unsure, go to the company’s website and find the information about your order there. Also, be suspicious of any email that doesn’t give you specifics about your order.
Shipping notification scams
Usually, in this type of scam, the fraudster contacts the victim through phone calls, emails, or SMS messages, claiming to be part of a mail carrier or delivery service. They say that your order has shipped, but when you click on the track package link, it takes you to a fake website or downloads malware onto your device.
Another common strategy is to say they could not deliver a parcel to your door. During this phishing attack, the impostor will request the victim to verify personal information and credit card data to “reschedule” the shipment. If the receiver gives personal information by phone or email, cyber criminals will scoop it up to perpetrate identity or financial fraud.
These emails can be difficult to spot because they often look like they’re from a legitimate company. However, there are some things you can look for that will help you identify these types of scams. First, check the sender’s email address if it’s not from a legitimate company. Make sure to pay attention to small details. Also, watch out for emails that have grammar mistakes and poor spelling. This is often a sign that the email is not legitimate. Finally, be suspicious of any shipping notification you receive before placing an order. If you didn’t order anything, the email is a scam.
How can I protect myself from Black Friday scams?
The best way to protect yourself from Black Friday scams is to be aware of the different scams out there. By knowing what to look for, you can avoid becoming a victim.
If you’re unsure about an email or website, don’t hesitate to contact the company directly to verify its legitimacy. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is, be careful of unfamiliar merchants that offer prices well below other shops. And, as always, be sure to install security software on your devices and keep it up-to-date to protect yourself from malware and other online threats.
