Black Friday warning as Scots losing up to £2,000 a day to AI online scams

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Scots are losing up to £2,000 a day to cyber criminals through online artificial intelligence (AI) scams on the approach to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Hundreds of shoppers are being targeted by fraudsters using AI platforms including ChatGPT, which use natural language processing features to create human-like dialogue - making their messages more believable. Swindlers are also employing AI image generators to create fake celebrity endorsements on deals to make them appear real.

They are pressuring victims into parting with money, bank details or personal information. Consumers have been urged to be wary of fake deals presented through phishing emails, texts and social media adverts.

They also have been told to watch out for bogus websites impersonating legitimate ones that accept payment for products but fail to deliver goods. Criminals have been reported selling counterfeit and empty gift cards and creating fake order confirmation pages.

Most retailers are already running a series of festive offers ahead of Black Friday, which this year falls on November 29.

Hazel Knowles, senior project lead for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “At this time of year, we’re all shopping online more than ever, and with the cost-of-living crisis straining household budgets, it’s understandable that many people will be looking for a Black Friday bargain. Unfortunately, we’re aware that Scots have already lost at least £1.1 million in online scams since last year. However, this is a significantly underreported problem.

“Criminals are always seeking new opportunities, including through social media, to target people and steal personal information, bank details, or money. AI is making emails and images more convincing, so it’s now harder to spot scams.

“Shoppers need to check who they’re buying from to ensure their purchases are safe and worth the money. It’s easy to feel rushed when you see a discount, but time-limited offers can pressure shoppers into ignoring warning signs.

“The key advice is to take your time and check before buying. Always ensure you're on an official website, as links may lead to fake sites."

Figures from Advice Direct Scotland revealed that between April and November this year, 934 Scots sought assistance from the charity after losing more than £495,111 to online fraud — an average loss of £530 per person. This comes on top of losses exceeding £617,367 among 1,550 people in 2023, bringing the total to £1.1 million, or £1,972 per day.

The scale of the problem is likely to be worse than indicated, as the figures do not account for unreported cases or those directly reported to the police.

Advice Direct Scotland has issued key tips for online shoppers, including:

• Research the online retailer before buying. Ensure that it is legitimate, with a secure website, a valid UK address, returns policy, and terms and conditions.
• Use a credit card if possible. It may be easier to get your money back if something goes wrong. If you don’t have a credit card, online services like PayPal can protect your bank details.
• Check the returns policy. Retailers have different policies on returning unwanted goods, but you have the right to return most goods purchased online within 14 days on receipt of delivery, for a full refund.
• Be savvy. If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

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