Black Friday offers can be genuinely useful, but the rush to secure a bargain also creates ideal conditions for scammers. Fake shops, convincing delivery messages, account theft and fraudulent adverts all rely on the same thing: getting you to act before you have time to check.
Whether you are shopping for yourself or purchasing equipment for a business, a few careful checks can help you avoid turning a discount into an expensive problem.
Be suspicious of deals that feel too good to be true
Scammers often advertise popular products at prices far below those offered by established retailers. The website may look professional, carry familiar payment logos and display fake customer reviews.
Before buying, check:
- How long the website has existed
- Whether the web address is spelled correctly
- Whether the company provides genuine contact details
- Whether independent reviews exist outside the seller’s own website
- Whether the price is realistic when compared with other retailers
A padlock in the browser only means the connection is encrypted. It does not prove that the retailer is legitimate.
Avoid buying through links in unexpected messages
Black Friday phishing emails and text messages often imitate major retailers, banks and delivery companies. They may claim that an order requires confirmation, a parcel could not be delivered or a special offer is about to expire.
Instead of using the link in the message, open the retailer’s official app or type its known address directly into your browser. If the message refers to a delivery, check the order through the retailer or courier account you already use.
Never enter passwords, payment information or verification codes after following an unexpected link.
Check online adverts carefully
Fraudulent adverts can appear on social media, search engines and legitimate websites. An advert being visible on a well-known platform does not guarantee that the seller has been properly verified.
Check the destination address before entering any details. Look for subtle spelling changes, extra words and unusual domain endings. Scammers frequently copy the design of a genuine retailer while using a web address that is only slightly different.
Be especially careful when an advert creates pressure with countdown timers, limited stock warnings or claims that hundreds of people are viewing the same item.
Use a safer payment method
Credit cards and trusted payment services usually provide better protection than bank transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards or direct payments to strangers.
Be cautious if a seller insists on a payment method that is difficult to reverse. A genuine retailer should not pressure you to move a conversation or payment away from its normal checkout process.
When possible, avoid saving payment card information on unfamiliar websites. Using a digital wallet can also reduce the amount of card information shared directly with the retailer.
Protect your shopping accounts
Criminals know that many people reuse the same password across email, shopping and payment accounts. Credentials stolen from one service may be tested against many others.
Use a strong, unique password for every important account and store them in a reputable password manager. Enable multi-factor authentication wherever it is available, particularly for your email account, online banking and major shopping platforms.
Your email account deserves special protection because it is often used to reset passwords for other services.
Watch for fake delivery messages
More online purchases mean more genuine delivery notifications, which makes fraudulent messages harder to spot. A scam text may request a small redelivery fee or ask you to confirm personal information.
Do not rely on the sender name shown on the message. Open the courier’s official website or app independently and use the tracking information supplied by the retailer.
Remember that a small payment can be a way to collect your card details for much larger fraud later.
Keep devices and browsers updated
Install security updates for your phone, computer, browser and shopping apps before the sales begin. Updates often fix vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit.
Use security software from a reputable provider and avoid making purchases over unknown public Wi-Fi. If you must use a public network, wait until you have a trusted connection before signing in or entering payment information.
Check business purchases through approved channels
Black Friday can be a useful time for businesses to purchase laptops, screens and other technology, but discounted equipment can create additional risks.
Business buyers should confirm that:
- The supplier is approved and traceable
- Devices include a valid warranty
- Software licences are genuine and suitable for commercial use
- Refurbished equipment has been securely erased
- Purchases can be recorded, supported and managed by the IT team
Unmanaged devices and suspiciously cheap software can introduce security, compliance and support problems long after the sale has ended.
If you think you have been scammed
Act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider using the number on its official website or the back of your card. Change any password you entered on the suspicious site, starting with your email account, and do not reuse the replacement password elsewhere.
Save copies of messages, receipts, web addresses and transaction details. Report fraudulent adverts to the platform where they appeared and report the incident through the appropriate national fraud reporting service.
If a work account or business device was involved, notify your IT or cyber security team immediately. Early reporting can limit the damage.
A bargain should not cost you your security
Black Friday scams succeed when urgency replaces caution. Pause before clicking, verify the seller independently, use protected payment methods and secure your accounts with unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Astley Digital helps businesses protect their people, accounts and systems from modern cyber threats. Explore our cyber security services or speak to our team for practical support.
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