Here is a list of red flags to look out for this Black Friday so you can avoid being scammed by fraudsters as the UK is likely to spend around £7.1 billion on deals
Savvy shoppers may get more than they bargained for this Black Friday.
The UK alone is likely to spend £7.1billion on a dazzling array of items, up from £5.2bn last year. But what this PwC prediction does not tell us is that scammers are also rubbing their hands in anticipation – of making a killing, not of getting a great deal.
Over last year’s festive period, more than £11.5million was lost to online fraudsters, up nearly £1m on 2022, the National Cyber Security Centre discovered. NCSC chief executive Richard Horne says: “As we head into the holiday shopping season, people are understandably eager to find the best deals online.
“Unfortunately, this is also prime time for cyber criminals, who exploit bargain hunters with increasingly sophisticated scams – sometimes crafted using AI – making them harder to detect.”
Here we reveal the red flags to look out for on Black Friday and what you should do if you become a victim of fraud.
Applying pressure
Scammers usually put pressure on would-be victims by saying a deal is quickly running out or there are few items left in stock, says deputy head of Action Fraud Adam Mercer.
He says: “Never feel pressured into buying anything online, a false sense of urgency is a telltale sign of a fraudster. Shopping on online marketplaces, social media or retailers, avoid bank transfers if you can. A credit card can provide more protection if anything goes wrong.”
Fake websites
Lauren Hendry Parsons, digital rights expert at tech firm ExpressVPN, warns that with the rise of AI, scammers can now clone websites to exact detail.
“Shoppers should check if a site is secure by seeing if the URL has HTTPS with a padlock symbol next to it – all reputable retailers should use HTTPS. Next, see if the website URL looks suspiciously like that of a genuine retailer, but with a slight variation,” she said.
“Users should also pay close attention to the quality of a website, looking for pixelated images, bad grammar, typos and amateur web design – these are all tell-tale signs that a website is fake.”
Phishing emails
There is a notable rise in the number of phishing emails in the days leading up to a big sale event such as Black Friday, and although typos and poor grammar are easy tell-tale signs of a fake email, with the help of AI, scams are becoming even harder to spot.
The first thing that users should do is check the email domain they are being contacted by and see if this looks legitimate and from a trusted retailer. Phishers also target users once they have made a purchase, contacting them about a “problem” with the delivery. Ms Hendry Parsons says do not click these links if received, adding: “Only check the status of orders by going on the retailer’s website and checking your orders.”
Social media scams
Social shopping platforms, such as TikTok Shop and YouTube Shopping, are increasingly popular, with one in eight shoppers, and one in five under 35s, having bought something this way in the past 12 months. But Barclays warns that as shopping habits change, so do scammers and their techniques.
Its analysis of scam claims, dating from January 2021, shows 72% of purchase scams originate on social media, showing the urgent need for these platforms to increase preventative measures and consumer protection.
Take time to plan in advance and research the legitimacy of the retailer and offer before parting with your cash. If you’re buying from a new or unfamiliar retailer, check their online reviews before you head to the checkout. Shoppers often flag bad experiences they’ve had with fraudulent sites. Doing research can stop you from making the same mistake.
False delivery notification
Fraudsters can send a convincing text or email about a missed or delayed delivery that looks like it is from a legitimate delivery company, such as Royal Mail or Evri.
These often include a link to a fake website that looks like the real one, asking victims to fill in a form to receive their parcel. But they are asking for sensitive personal details such as bank account details. These messages often will arrive from a mobile phone number or a misspelt/slightly unusual email address. This is a sign it is a scam.
Vonny Gamot, of online protection firm McAfee, says: “Think before you click. If you receive an email or text message asking you to click a link, even if it sounds like you’ve received a package delivery update, it’s best to avoid interacting with the message. Always go directly to the source and interact with reputable firms.”
What do I do if I’m scammed?
Act immediately. Call your bank or credit card provider’s fraud number to report a scam has happened. If a third-party payment was involved, such as PayPal or Klarna, contact them immediately.
This will increase the chances of the money being returned to you. If you entered any account info into the fake site, such as email address or bank details, change the passwords of the accounts compromised as soon as possible and enable two-factor authentication to ensure no one else can access them again.
Contact Action Fraud UK and file a police report. This increases the chances of the scammers being caught and your bank or credit card provider will likely want to see a copy of the report before paying back the relevant amount.
