Avoid Common Black Friday Scams with these Tips from Savings Experts

Black Friday is just around the corner and thousands of deals and discounts will be up for grabs on November 29th. Whether you're a savvy shopper hunting for bargains or getting a head start on holiday gift shopping, there will be plenty of irresistible offers for everyone. 

While it may be a great time to save on your shopping, it's crucial to stay vigilant, as online scams tend to increase leading up to major sales events. Cybercriminals often take advantage of the larger audiences drawn to websites with discounted prices and special offers, now more than ever it is important to protect yourself from potential threats. 

Our CEO and Co-Founder of Bravovoucher.co.uk, Marco Farnararo, has shared his expert advice with us on how to identify and steer clear of Black Friday scams. Here are 5 of the best ways to avoid getting scammed this Black Friday. 

Top 5 Ways to Avoid Common Black Friday Scams 

Online shopping scams are not uncommon however with Black Friday on the way they become more frequent and scarily realistic that it can be hard to differentiate between what is an actual sale and what is fake. Here are our top tips: 

1. Check for Fake Websites

Popular retailers are often prime targets for scammers during major online shopping events. Fraudsters set up convincing websites that resemble legitimate ones, luring customers with unrealistic discounts. Once shoppers make a purchase, they may receive counterfeit or incorrect items—or worse, the scammers take the money and vanish without delivering anything at all.  

Always exercise caution by checking that the website you're using has “https” in the URL before entering any payment information. This helps ensure that your money and personal data remain secure. 

For an extra layer of safety, if you have an account with the website you are shopping on ensure you are logged in before completing your purchase. If you don’t have an account, consider signing up directly on the retailer's official website to confirm its legitimacy. 

2. Be Aware of Phishing Emails & Text Messages 

Phishing is a type of cybercrime that targets consumers through fake emails and text messages that disguise themselves as legitimate retailers, claiming to offer amazing discounts and deals. These messages often include links directing you to fraudulent websites to capture your financial information. Always verify the security of a site before making a purchase or entering any personal information. 

You can help protect yourself by checking the fake website addresses linked in the message. For example, the addresses linked contain clear grammatical errors, such as replacing letters with numbers (e.g., substituting an “o” with a zero, as in g00gle.com). This can easily mislead customers, particularly when the advertised ‘deal’ is presented as time-sensitive, causing shoppers to rush through the checkout process. 

3. Be Cautious of Social Media Scams 

Social media has emerged as a prominent platform for scamming shoppers recently. Fraudulent giveaways, competitions, and enticing offers can be widely advertised across platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. 

These often include links to claim your prize or access a discount code, which can lead to fraudulent websites demanding personal details to receive what you have supposedly ‘won.’ Fraudulent coupons and discount codes are often received through emails or posted on social media channels, which can also direct you to insecure websites and require details to ‘redeem’ the voucher or offer. 

4. Stay Mindful of Fake Order Confirmations

Cybercriminals frequently send fraudulent order confirmations via email for products that customers have not actually purchased. These emails may come from addresses similar to legitimate retailers but contain grammatical errors and noticeable mistakes. Remember to check the links carefully!   

These confirmations often include generic salutations such as “Dear Customer” instead of addressing you by your name. Additionally, they may contain unusual details, such as unfamiliar products and prices, along with urgent language suggesting that you must act quickly to resolve an issue with your order. 

To protect yourself from these scams, it’s advisable to consider installing an antivirus program and reporting any spam or fraudulent messages.

5. Avoid Shopping on Public Networks 

Black Friday promotions, both legitimate and fraudulent, will be constantly appearing, making it tempting to act quickly while you’re out and about. Public Wi-Fi networks often lack proper safety protocols, such as passwords. This allows cybercriminals to exploit these connections and steal your banking details or personal information without your knowledge. This occasion, with the abundance of offers and discounts easily available, presents an ideal opportunity for cybercriminals to target enthusiastic shoppers. 

A simple way to avoid this is to avoid shopping until you are on a secure network or to use your mobile data or a VPN for transactions. 

Marco Farnararo, our CEO and Co-Founder also commented: 

“While Black Friday is an exciting opportunity to score some great deals, it’s crucial for shoppers to remain vigilant against potential scams. Always trust your instincts along with the tips provided earlier. Some scams may appear obvious, but if an offer seems too good to be true, even from a source you consider reliable, there's a good chance it is. 

Make sure to double-check everything before entering any personal or financial information. If you have any doubts, remember that no deal is worth the risk of falling victim to a scammer.” 

As you prepare for Black Friday deals and savings, keep in mind these tips to protect yourself from common scams. Thanks to our savings experts' insights, you can enjoy the thrill of finding great bargains without falling prey to cybercriminals. Stay safe out there!