Black Friday is a great time to get discounts, but it is also a time where there is a surge in scams. Fraudsters use the season to their advantage to push fake adverts, phishing emails, fake delivery texts, and lookalike retail websites.
CSCM’s top tips:
Scammers are now using AI-generated images and deepfake videos to make adverts appear legitimate. These posts usually promote unrealistic discounts or free giveaways to lure you in. They usually come from unverified accounts or newly created profiles. Watch out for unnatural visuals or strange lip-syncing in videos.
Fraudulent emails pretend to be from well-known retailers and offer giveaways, discounts, or order updates. They often contain links to fake surveys or websites designed to steal your personal or financial information. Scammers may later use this data for more advanced fraud, including impersonating your bank. Look out for unusual sender addresses, spelling mistakes, and unexpected attachments.
Fraudsters create lookalike sites that mimic well-known retailers with convincing branding. Their URLs often include random characters, misspellings, or added words to appear legitimate. These sites typically offer unrealistic discounts or contain grammar errors and outdated logos. Missing contact details, privacy policies, or genuine reviews are all strong red flags.
Unsolicited texts promoting Black Friday deals or urging you to click a link are common. Many contain malware or lead to fake payment pages set up to steal your details. However, delivery scam texts are widespread during shopping season, claiming you must rearrange a parcel or pay a fee. Always verify delivery issues directly through the courier’s official website.
By staying vigilant and verifying every deal, link, and website, you can enjoy Black Friday safely and avoid falling victim to scammers.
