Whereas before, Friday and Cyber Monday meant heavy sales and deep discounts in terms of sales, and many millions were eagerly waiting to go shopping on these events annually. But with an increased rise in online shopping since the pandemic, scammers have gotten more inventive about getting unsuspecting buyers to fall for their schemes.
Therefore, it is only with increased vigilance as cyber fraud keeps rising to understand how to identify dodgy deals not to be duped.
This blog will guide you on how to recognize and be safe from fake Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers so you can shop online without a hitch on your personal and financial information.
Evolving nature of online fraud
Statistics show a frightening spike in cyber fraud over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Fact: Scam websites have increased 89% more this year than last year, and nearly 80% of promotional emails that promise incredible deals are actually scams. This year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales will be $75 billion—a 5% increase over last year—where the cybercriminals are capitalizing on the shopping craze.
The FBI has already cautioned online shoppers and issued advisories regarding them. Here are some steps in which you may protect yourself so that these discounts and offers do not dupe you.
1. Examine URLs Carefully
One of the simplest ways to determine whether a website is fraud or not is to just check the URL. Scam websites always have URLs similar to that of the good known retailers, but these always contain minute differences and sometimes even spelling mistakes. For instance, a legitimate site might have a URL such as “www.amazon.com” while a fake site would have something like “www.amazon-sale.com” or “www.amazon-shop.com“.
Tip: If you see any weird domain name or small mistakes in a URL, do not access the website. Always verify in the address bar of a browser.
2. Revise website security
Always check whether the website is secure before making any purchase. Make sure that “https://” is at the start of the URL and a padlock icon is beside it in the address bar of the browser. This will confirm that the website uses secure encryption when transmitting your personal information.
Tip: Never enter sensitive information, such as a credit card number or login credentials, in sites that do not display that level of security.
3. Detailed exploration of new locations
Online scammers often create fake websites that look professional but are designed to steal your money or personal data. If you’re unfamiliar with a site, take a few extra moments to research it. Look for customer reviews and testimonials, and pay attention to the dates and consistency of reviews. Fake sites often post glowing reviews that look generic and lack details.
Tip: Take one of the popular services to review, like Trustpilot, or add the word “scam” or “reviews” after the website name and browse through what other shoppers have said.
4. Scrutinize Emails and Promotions
Promotional emails with huge discounts sound too good to be true, and more often than not, they are. Cybercriminals often use spam emails to create a sense of urgency, telling you to act fast to grab “limited-time offers.” Always cross-check the sender’s email address and ensure it matches the retailer’s official domain.
Tip: Never click on any links or download attachments from unsolicited emails, especially if they appear suspicious. Instead, access the offer directly from the retailer’s official website.
5. Know about QR codes
Although QR codes would make it so easy to access discounts or promotions, sometimes they will take you to a fraudulent website. Scammers have become rather resourceful in creating fake QR codes for directing users to phishing sites or malware downloads.
Tip: If you get a QR code in an email, text message, or social media message, make sure to scan the QR code only from a trusted source, like a known store or brand.
6. Minimize personal data that you divulge
Most fraud sites demand too much personal information from you, including your Social Security number, full date of birth, or financial details, in the name of securing a deal. So, beware of giving any unnecessary information on a website unless absolutely required to complete the transaction.
Tip: Genuine stores will never demand any personal information to procure the item unless required to process shipping or your order. If it does so, it’s a bad sign.
7. Refrain from Unusual Payment Arrangements
Always be cautious regarding payments. For that, credit cards are preferred to debit cards since they offer good protection against fraud. Also avoid other types of payments such as wire transfer or cryptocurrencies. These modes are tough to track, and recourse for fraud is nearly non-existent.
Tip: Only use known payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal for added security. If a deal insists on wire transfers or other uncommon payment methods, then it is probably a scam.
8. Showcase Contact Information and Customer Service Nos
Legitimate online stores are always clear about the contact information that they are offering such as a telephone number, an email address, and even a street address. Scam websites often seem unclear and never offer contact with customer support.
Tip: Always check the contact details provided on a website. You can call the number provided or send an email to confirm its legitimacy before making any purchases.
9. Know the Return Policy
Most authentic sellers have return policies, so if you purchase something that happens to be faulty or not what you ordered, you will feel safe. Scams do not have return or refund policies, and thus it is very difficult to get your money back in case something goes wrong. Tip: Always read the return policy carefully before making a purchase, and avoid websites that don’t provide one or seem vague about their return process. 10. Ensure there are Trust Seals and Certification Many popular and reputable online retailers use third-party security company trust seals such as McAfee or Norton to let customers know that the site is safe to shop at. Of course, all trustworthy sites do not utilize these, but it can be a good indicator of security and trustworthiness. Tip: If a website states that it is certified, click on the seal and verify whether the website redirects to the certifying company’s website. Final Thoughts Every year, the sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday touch new heights. So there is a need to get informed and keep oneself free from cyber frauds by following the above tips in order to shop confidently that he is getting the best of deals without getting trapped under frauds. Be it electronic devices, fashion item, or home appliances: security is the priority that it is safe to deal while verifying deals before making payments for purchase.