Make Sure to Avoid Black Friday Scams: Here’s How

Unfortunately, scammers do not take a break during the holidays. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, this could be a prime opportunity for internet scammers to strike. 

According to Zippia, $8.9 billion was spent by shoppers online last Black Friday. And 43% of those sales happened through a smartphone. 

We have gathered the best tips to ensure you take part in safe shopping this holiday season.  

Beware of fake websites and fraudulent messages

Phishing is the process a scammer uses to tap into personal information or introduce malware. AJ Nash, vice president of intelligence at ZeroFox, told Entrepreneur “Technologies have made it easier to do a better job of impersonating. It costs very little to buy a domain that looks very close to the real one.” He warns shoppers to pay close attention to the details of each message and website they come across. And remember, “If a bargain sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he says. 

Research browser extensions before downloading

As Americans face the challenges of rising inflation rates, finding a bargain has become a high priority. However, when you come across a “money-saving” browser extension while Black Friday shopping, do your research before you decide to download it. According to CNBC, most deals will be advertised on the retailer’s website and if you do find an extension you want to try, you can read reviews about it on websites like Trustpilot to determine if it is legit. 

Use secure payment methods

A common way scammers access billing information is by contacting customers claiming their payment method needs to be updated or that their order failed, and they need to resubmit their information. According to CNBC,  scammers often create a “sense of urgency” to get customers to act fast. So, before you resubmit any billing information, do not panic and make sure the payment method is secure.