How to avoid Black Friday scams

Black Friday – the pre-Christmas retail frenzy offering hefty discounts on tech, homeware, outdoor gear and everything in between – can save you some money. But the bad news is it can also be a playground for scammers looking to take advantage of eager online shoppers. If you’re preparing to invest in new outdoor gear during the biggest shopping weekend of the year, it’s a good idea to be aware of the potential Black Friday scams and know how to protect yourself – and your bank balance – from online payment fraud.

With the help of industry experts, we’ve compiled the most common Black Friday scams and how to spot them.

Common scams to look out for

Here are the typical Black Friday scams all shoppers should be aware of when buying anything online.

Phishing emails

Watch out for emails that claim to offer exclusive deals. While many retailers will promote their Black Friday bargains via email, cybercriminals can mimic popular sellers by creating a fake but very similar email address and then replicating the format and language style of genuine emails from the retailer.

“The fraudulent email will contain a link to a fake website where its sole purpose is to steal your information,” explains Stuart Deavall, digital marketing manager at NetGiant. “A simple way to tell if a website is secure is to check whether the site has a security certificate, which should be evident by a small padlock next to the URL.”

Look for the padlock to the left of a site’s URL to make sure it’s authentic and secure.

Fake websites

Anne Cutler, cybersecurity evangelist at Keeper Security, warns that it’s common for cybercriminals to set up malicious fake “online stores” whose only purpose is to steal payment card data and other personal information. “Stick with retailers that are well known or that you’ve done business with before,” she says. “If the website and deal feels too good to be true, it probably is.”

Bait-and-switch tactics

It’s worth having your wits about you, even when shopping on the high street. Some sellers may advertise a specific item at a low price, but when you visit the store, they claim it’s sold out and try to upsell a more expensive alternative. Buy from trusted retailers and always read reviews beforehand.

Smishing

Another common scam that’s growing in popularity is ‘smishing’ – the act of using SMS text messages as a trap. Scammers will pose as a business, claiming that a parcel is being delivered to your address.

“This scam could be easier to fall for during Black Friday, when you may have made multiple orders on different sites, and are waiting for goods to be delivered,” says Deavall. “The criminal may send a link for you to click through; if it’s unclear who the sender is, based on the URL, you shouldn’t open the link.”

To report a suspicious text to your mobile provider, the UK Government recommends forwarding any texts that don’t feel legitimate to 7726 for free. In the US you can report fraud on the Department of Justice website or via the Internet Crime Complaints Centre.

Malicious mobile apps

Fraudulent mobile apps are also very common during the Black Friday sales season, says Cutler. In the same way that fake websites look almost identical to their authentic counterparts, mobile apps will masquerade as the real deal with no intention of sending you the item you paid for. “Designed to look like legitimate shopping apps, these platforms can contain malware, steal personal information and deceive users into making purchases that never arrive.”

Using your home WiFi to make purchases can help prevent cyber criminals pinching your personal information.

Customer support impersonation

Another prevalent scam sees fraudsters claiming to be customer support from large companies, especially popular retailers where you might have made a Black Friday order. During this process, access to your sensitive information, passwords and login details are at risk.

“Watch out for text messages claiming that you’ve made multiple expensive purchases that you need to verify,” warns Deavall. “The aim of the scam is to lure you into responding that you haven’t authorised the transaction, which can then lead to you resetting your password.”

Tips for avoiding Black Friday scams

Now you’re aware of the common tactics, here are some ways to be more vigilant when shopping online.

Read the small print

Scammers might promote irresistible deals such as cheap gym memberships, but they often come with hidden fees or long-term commitments. Read the fine print, and be wary once again of providing your personal details.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi

Although you may see a great Black Friday deal and want to make the most of the bargain there and then, it’s a wise idea to wait until you can make the purchase using your private WiFi connection or mobile data.

“Any public network is open to abuse, meaning there is always the chance that a fraudster is monitoring your activity and can log your payment details,” says Deavall. “The bottom line is that, even if you miss the deal, there will always be alternative offers to take advantage of, with some retailers waiting until Cyber Monday to make their best and final reductions.”

Look out for unsecured websites

Ensure the website you’re buying products from has a secure URL (for example, one which starts with ‘https://’) and avoid making purchases on unencrypted or suspicious sites. This will go a long way in helping you protect your personal and financial information.

Don’t give in to pressure

Be aware that scammers often create a sense of urgency by claiming deals are available for a limited time. Take your time to research and make informed decisions.

Be sceptical

Lastly, Cutler recommends not being too trusting and be determined to not let the scammers win. “Keep your eyes open, practise good cyber hygiene and employ a healthy dose of scepticism when seeking out the hot holiday deals this season.”

Read more: The outdoor brands turning Black Friday green and turning their backs on consumer culture

H/T: This article first appeared on Men’s Fitness.