Black Friday scams to look out for as shoppers warned to be vigilant

Black Friday shoppers are being warned that deals too good to be true might lead to more than they have bargained for. The UK is expected to splash out a staggering £7.1billion on Black Friday, soaring from last year’s £5.2bn, as per predictions by PwC.

Despite the enthusiasm, the National Cyber ­Security Centre (NCSC) has unearthed that scammers are eagerly anticipating the spending spree, with losses to online fraudsters reaching over £11.5million during the previous holiday season—nearly £1m up from 2022. NCSC chief Richard Horne said: "As we head into the holiday shopping season, people are understandably eager to find the best deals online.

Black Friday deals LIVE: See best offers from Amazon, Boots, Dunelm, Oodie and more

"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."

Fraud experts are sharing insights on the warning signs to watch for on Black Friday and advice for those unfortunate enough to fall prey to online scams.

Action Fraud’s deputy head Adam Mercer highlights common tactics scammers employ, such as creating a false sense of urgency to lure in their victims. He advises: "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.", reports the Mirror.

Mercer alerts shoppers to be vigilant against fake websites and other fraudulent activities that could ruin their festive cheer.

Lauren Hendry Parsons, a digital rights expert at tech firm ExpressVPN, has issued a warning about the rise of AI and its role in enabling scammers to clone websites down to the finest 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 advised.

"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."

She also noted a significant increase in phishing emails in the days leading up to major sale events such as Black Friday. While typos and poor grammar are easy indicators of a fake email, AI is making scams harder to spot.

The first thing users should do is verify the email domain they are being contacted by to ensure it's legitimate and from a trusted retailer. Phishers often target users after they've made a purchase, contacting them about a "problem" with the delivery.

Ms Hendry Parsons advises against clicking these links, adding: "Only check the status of orders by going on the retailer's website and checking your orders." She also warned of social media scams.

Social shopping platforms like TikTok Shop and YouTube Shopping are gaining popularity, with one in eight shoppers, and one in five under 35s, making purchases this way in the past year. However, Barclays has warned that as shopping habits evolve, so do the tactics of scammers.

The bank's analysis of scam claims since January 2021 reveals that 72% of purchase scams stem from social media, highlighting the urgent need for these platforms to bolster preventative measures and consumer protection. It's crucial to plan ahead and verify the authenticity of the retailer and offer before parting with your money.

If you're purchasing from a new or unfamiliar retailer, check their online reviews before proceeding to checkout. Shoppers often share their negative experiences with fraudulent sites, and doing your research can prevent you from falling into the same trap.

Shoppers should also beware of false delivery notifications. Fraudsters can send convincing texts or emails about missed or delayed deliveries that appear to be from legitimate delivery companies like Royal Mail or Evri.

These messages often include a link to a counterfeit website that mimics the real one, asking victims to fill out a form to receive their parcel. But they're actually seeking sensitive personal information such as bank account details.

These messages often come from a mobile phone number or a misspelt/slightly unusual email address, which is a telltale sign of a scam.

Vonny Gamot from the online protection firm McAfee advises caution with unexpected digital communications, stating: "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."

In the unfortunate event of falling victim to a scam, immediate action is crucial. Contact your bank or credit card provider's fraud department to report the incident.

If services like PayPal or Klarna were used, get in touch with them straight away. This can help in recovering any lost funds.

Additionally, if you've input any personal details into a fraudulent site, promptly change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to secure your accounts. It's also important to report the matter to Action Fraud UK and file a police report, which not only aids in potentially apprehending the fraudsters but may also be required by your financial institution to process a refund.