Black Friday Scams: The Online Shopping Trap Luring Innocent Shoppers
As Black Friday approaches, shoppers are on high alert for discounts and deals on their Christmas presents. However, scammers have other plans. Experts warn that this year's Black Friday has been dubbed "Black Fraud Day" due to the numerous online scams targeting unsuspecting consumers.
Malicious emails and social media posts are flooding inboxes and social media feeds, promising unbeatable bargains from trusted brands. But beware - most of these deals come with a catch. Scammers create fake websites mimicking famous brands, making it impossible for shoppers to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate sites.
The scam usually starts with an email or social media post offering an unrealistically low price on a product, followed by a request to make a payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrency. The website may appear professional but lacks essential details such as a privacy policy, postage address, or "about us" page. Urgency tactics are also used to create a sense of panic, claiming that the sale will expire soon if you don't act immediately.
Experts warn that artificial intelligence tools have made it easier for scammers to create convincing fake websites and identities. "With AI, fraudsters can now create entire deceptive small-business identities, complete with faces, stories, and photo-perfect shops in just minutes," says Adrian Ludwig of Tools for Humanity.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, be cautious when receiving emails or social media posts offering Black Friday deals. Here are some tips:
Firstly, verify the authenticity of any sale by contacting the brand directly. If you're unsure, report suspicious messages to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) or 7726 for text messages.
Secondly, always use a credit card for online payments. In the UK, many sales are protected under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Lastly, remain vigilant and take your time when evaluating any offer. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Darktrace have issued warnings about the rise in Black Friday scams, urging consumers to exercise caution and report suspicious activity immediately. Don't let scammers ruin your holiday shopping experience - stay safe online this Black Friday.
As Black Friday approaches, shoppers are on high alert for discounts and deals on their Christmas presents. However, scammers have other plans. Experts warn that this year's Black Friday has been dubbed "Black Fraud Day" due to the numerous online scams targeting unsuspecting consumers.
Malicious emails and social media posts are flooding inboxes and social media feeds, promising unbeatable bargains from trusted brands. But beware - most of these deals come with a catch. Scammers create fake websites mimicking famous brands, making it impossible for shoppers to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate sites.
The scam usually starts with an email or social media post offering an unrealistically low price on a product, followed by a request to make a payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrency. The website may appear professional but lacks essential details such as a privacy policy, postage address, or "about us" page. Urgency tactics are also used to create a sense of panic, claiming that the sale will expire soon if you don't act immediately.
Experts warn that artificial intelligence tools have made it easier for scammers to create convincing fake websites and identities. "With AI, fraudsters can now create entire deceptive small-business identities, complete with faces, stories, and photo-perfect shops in just minutes," says Adrian Ludwig of Tools for Humanity.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, be cautious when receiving emails or social media posts offering Black Friday deals. Here are some tips:
Firstly, verify the authenticity of any sale by contacting the brand directly. If you're unsure, report suspicious messages to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) or 7726 for text messages.
Secondly, always use a credit card for online payments. In the UK, many sales are protected under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Lastly, remain vigilant and take your time when evaluating any offer. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Darktrace have issued warnings about the rise in Black Friday scams, urging consumers to exercise caution and report suspicious activity immediately. Don't let scammers ruin your holiday shopping experience - stay safe online this Black Friday.
theyre literally everywhere these days and its getting so frustrating cuz people are falling for it left and right i mean come on folks be careful out there do ur research before makin a purchase and always use a credit card online the risk of losin money is just not worth it 
omg u guys gotta be so careful on black friday 
these scammers r getting so sneaky with their fake websites and emails theyre like "hey checkout our sale" and then bam u got charged for something ur never even bought 
its not worth risking ur personal info or credit card details over some bogus deal dont fall for it 
they're like a virus spreading fast across the net! scammers are using AI to make fake websites look super legit 
but trust me, don't get caught up in it! 
to show u how it goes: 
use credit cards, verify websites, and dont be in such a rush! 
just what I needed, another reason to dread shopping on the internet. Like, can't we just get a decent discount without having to worry about getting ripped off? 
like, chill, I'll shop when I'm ready 
. Lesson learned: verify everything, use a credit card (if you're in the UK), and don't fall for anything that sounds too good to be true 
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. They know how excited we are for those discounts and deals, and they're using that excitement against us 
. Verifying the authenticity of any sale by contacting the brand directly is a must 
. And using a credit card for online payments can also protect us in case something goes wrong 
. Just remember to stay vigilant and don't be afraid to report suspicious activity if you see it 
!
but at the same time, I think some people are just expecting it and are gonna get duped anyway 
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. and those fake websites? who tries to keep up with all the ai-generated identities? 
The AI tools they use are so clever, but I guess it's also a double-edged sword – on one hand, it makes it harder for us to spot the scams, but on the other hand, it means that more people can fall victim to them.