Beware of Black Friday frenzy – UK releases
UK cyber security and law enforcement have issued an “urgent warning” as people get ready to get their hands on the best Black Friday deals.
Data from the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) and Action Fraud show a significant one major financial losses to online shopping scams.
Between November 2023 and January 2024 alone, Britons lost more than £11.5 million to online shopping scams, with each victim losing an average of £695.
Black Friday alert
“Our message to anyone shopping online as we approach Black Friday is simple: if you come across something that doesn’t feel right, stop what you’re doing, disconnect and don’t click on any links.” said British Fraud Secretary Lord Hansonadmitting that more needs to be done to tackle online fraud.
You should be especially wary of offers you find on social media platforms. The Action Fraud report also found that almost half of incidents (43%) in 2023 came from social media platforms.
“Never feel pressured to buy anything online; creating a false sense of urgency is a clear sign of a fraudster,” says Adam Mercer, deputy head of Action Fraud.
Mercer also recommends avoiding bank transfers if possible, whether you’re shopping on online marketplaces, social media, or retailer websites. A credit card is preferred for privacy-conscious people as it offers more protection if something goes wrong.
Do you know?
Black Friday is not only a highly anticipated time for shoppers, but also for scammers. From too-good-to-be-true offers to suspicious messages and dodgy-looking websites, we’ve rounded up the top warning signs of Black Friday scams to look out for this shopping season.
In addition to being vigilant at all times, the NCSC has also launched a national campaign in this regard Stop! Think of fraudto encourage people to set up 2-Step Verification for their most important accounts.
Two-factor or multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security because you must provide an additional form of identification in addition to your password to access your account. This could be a one-time code sent by SMS, a magical link sent to your email, a biometric print, or clicking on a specific app on your device.
Experts from Surfsark, one of the best VPN providers on the market today, have shared additional tips on how to avoid Black Friday scams.
These include avoiding browsing on potentially compromised public Wi-Fi without a virtual private network (VPN), as scammers can set up malicious Wi-Fi hotspots in busy shopping areas. Most notably, they suggest always checking the sender’s email address to reduce the chance of falling victim to phishing attacks.
Still, fake websites and deals remain the most common tactic, according to Surfsharks cybersecurity expert Miguel Fornés.
He said: “Stick to the brands you know well, or do additional research if shopping at a new site. Be careful of poor grammar, spelling mistakes and unusual phrases, as these can indicate that a site or message may be a scam. .”
