Black Friday scams to watch out for in 2024: How fake shopping sites are out to steal your cash

Alexandru_BD

The 2024 Black Friday is just around the corner, and millions of people are preparing to snag what they hope will be the best deals of the year. But lurking behind the excitement of discounts and shopping frenzies are scammers waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Fake online shopping sites have become a favorite tool for cybercriminals, and with every passing year, these scams become more sophisticated. If you're not careful, you might end up paying for products that never arrive, end up with toy versions of the stuff you wanted to buy or worse, sharing your credit card details with criminals.

How fake Black Friday shopping sites work

Fake Black Friday sites are designed to look like legitimate retailers, often mimicking popular brands or offering prices that seem too good to pass up. These websites are typically well-crafted, with professional designs, product images, and even fake customer reviews. But once you've entered your payment information, the scammers either vanish with your money, or worse, steal your credit card details for further exploitation.

Red flags of a fake Black Friday website:

• Unbelievable discounts: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often offer massive discounts, far beyond what’s realistic, to lure in victims.
• New or unfamiliar URLs: Be wary of sites that you’ve never heard of, especially those that have domain names similar to well-known brands but slightly altered (e.g., "Amazzon" instead of "Amazon").
• Shady payment methods: Fake sites may insist on unconventional payment methods, such as wire transfers or gift cards, which are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover.
• Poor website functionality: While some fake sites are professionally done, others may have broken links, misspelled words, or poorly translated text. These are key indicators that something isn’t right.

How to protect yourself from Black Friday scams in 2024

1. Stick to trusted retailers: If you’re unfamiliar with a website, do your homework before making a purchase. Stick to well-known retailers or thoroughly research the legitimacy of lesser-known sites. Look for reviews from independent sources and verify the company’s contact information.
2. Check the URL carefully: A common tactic for scammers is to create URLs that mimic the names of established brands. Always double-check the domain name and ensure you’re shopping on the official site.
3. Use secure payment methods: Always opt for secure payment methods, such as credit cards or payment services like PayPal, which offer fraud protection. Avoid using wire transfers or gift cards.
4. Beware of phishing emails: Scammers often send fake Black Friday deals via email, with links leading to fraudulent sites. Be cautious when clicking on links from promotional emails—always go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the URL into your browser instead of clicking on a link.
5. Use browser security features: Many browsers come with security features that can warn you if you're about to enter a potentially harmful website. Enable these features for an extra layer of protection.

Black Friday scams aren’t just online

While fake online shopping sites are a major threat, they aren’t the only Black Friday scams to watch out for. Here are a few others to be aware of:

• Fake ads on social media: Fraudulent ads for unbelievable deals often appear on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These ads can link directly to scam sites or phishing pages designed to steal your information.
• Counterfeit goods: Some scammers set up fake stores selling knockoff versions of popular items. The site may look legitimate, but the products you receive (if you receive anything at all) will be poor-quality fakes.
• Gift Card scams: Beware of unsolicited emails offering massive discounts on gift cards. Scammers may trick you into purchasing cards that turn out to be worthless.

Shop smart, stay safe

Black Friday is a time for great deals, but it’s also a time when scammers are at their most active. As 2024’s shopping event approaches, keep your wits about you and take the necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to fake shopping sites. Stick to trusted retailers, verify URLs, and use secure payment methods to protect yourself from online predators while still scoring some great deals.

Did you know that Scamio can help?

Want to stay one step ahead of scammers this Black Friday? Check out Scamio, your go-to platform for spotting fake sites, avoiding online fraud, and staying safe during the holiday shopping season. Send Scamio text conversations, e-mails or screenshots and it will let you know almost instantly how likely it is for offers to be scams.

Have you spotted Black Friday scams already? Spread the word and share your findings with the community!