Whoever says Black Friday says scammers who are on the hunt and trying by any means possible to make money on the backs of less attentive shoppers. Here are six tips to capitalize on sales while avoiding falling into traps.
• Also read: Black Friday: The beginning of the bargain hunt
• Also read: Black Friday: Small retailers fear being left out
1-Too good to be true
Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, especially on electronics and gaming consoles, or on trendy items such as Lego or Nike shoes, which scammers may advertise in fake ads at low prices in order to obtain a bank transfer , The Mirror reported on Wednesday.
According to Lloyds Bank, it is therefore advisable to shop on a reliable website and check customer reviews of the seller before paying.
2- Is this really a discount?
Check the item you want to buy from the competition because a seller may be trying to make a regular price seem like a big discount, consumer protection agency spokesman Charles Tanguay stressed last year.
“This is illegal and customers can report it,” he added to TVA Nouvelles.
3-Beware of false offers via email
According to global data and analytics firm LexisNexis Risk Solutions, your emails or text messages could be full of fake, tempting offers and a link in the coming days.
It’s important to verify the origin before clicking, as this may result in a payment platform asking you to enter your banking details without ever sending you the item you want. Instead, it’s best to go directly to the retailer’s official website to confirm the offer, the British media outlet said.
4- Check the package location links
Additionally, be on the lookout for fake parcel search emails that may be sent with vague references to a recent purchase, such as “There is a problem with your delivery” or “Click here for a delivery update,” noted The Mirror .
Instead, be sure to use the websites of the online shop or delivery company.
5- Don’t give in under false urgency
It could be that a fraudster is posing as a retailer and claiming that the payment method used didn’t work and that it’s important to update it or risk losing your order.
But even if there is a company logo in the email, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions, it is advisable to contact the company directly for verification and, above all, not to reveal their bank details.
6- Password changed without your knowledge
According to the data company, there would be an increase in “brute force attacks” that use software to try to find passwords for customer accounts.
If you receive an email indicating that your account password has been changed without your knowledge, contact the company in question immediately to notify them and block any possible purchases.
Originally posted 2023-11-23 19:56:24.