Black Friday is one of the most exciting days for millions of people across the globe because they get to shop for some of their favorite products at a fraction of the standard prices. In 2022, over 87.2 million consumers in the United States shopped online on Black Friday. This massive traffic also attracts scammers who may want to take advantage of vulnerable consumers looking for cheap products.
These scammers use sophisticated tactics that anyone can fall for if they’re not aware of them. To help you avoid becoming the next victim of these scammers, this article will guide you through the different ways to stay safe while shopping online on Black Friday which will be happening starting on November 24th. So, without any further ado, let’s jump right in!
8 Ways to Avoid Black Friday Cyber Scams 2023
1. Be aware of domain name spoofing
Domain name spoofing is a common tactic used by cyber scammers to deceive online shoppers. Scammers create fake websites that closely mimic the appearance of legitimate business websites. The goal is to make these counterfeit sites look identical to trusted websites like Amazon, BestBuy, or Etsy. Once you land on a spoofed website, you might be prompted to enter personal information, including payment details, during the supposed purchase process, or the website may attempt to download malware onto your device.
Here are some of the ways to identify a spoofed website;
- Closely look at the URL. Make sure the URL matches that of the official website you know. It is common for scammers to use relatively similar URLs such as amazona.com to mimic amazon.com. So, look closely at these URLs before taking any action.
- Check the website URL in the address bar for “https://” to ensure it is secure.
- Examine the website for suspicious content, such as grammatical errors and typos, which are often telltale signs of a fraudulent site.
If you suspect a website to be fraudulent, it’s crucial not to enter any personal information or click on any links associated with it. Additionally, report the suspicious website to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if from America to help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
2. Be careful with email and social media deals
Around Black Friday and the days leading up to it, your social media feed and email inbox may be flooded with enticing deals and offers. However, it’s essential to exercise caution before clicking on any of these links. Scammers often use these channels to promote fake deals or redirect users to counterfeit websites that closely resemble well-known e-commerce sites like Amazon and Best Buy.
To protect yourself from falling for such scams:
- Verify the legitimacy of the brand or account sharing the deals.
- Double-check that the link you click directs you to the expected website and not “something similar”.
- Open a separate browser window to independently confirm the legitimacy of the offer you’re considering.
- Only browse for deals within the websites you trust and not through links shared in your email or social media feed.
3. Be aware of fake coupons
Creators on online platforms, such as YouTube and social media, will often showcase coupons promising substantial discounts on various products during the Black Friday season. These coupons can be tempting, especially during the holiday shopping season. Scammers may entice you to save money by providing your contact information on a seemingly official-looking website to receive an online coupon code.
However, there are significant risks associated with this approach. For instance, after providing your contact information, you may be redirected to an untrustworthy website. The coupon code may not work, and your contact information could be sold to third parties.
To protect yourself from these risks:
- Obtain coupons only from trusted sources, ideally directly from the retailer or creators you trust.
- Carefully review the terms and conditions of each coupon.
- Exercise caution when sharing your personal information online and be mindful of potential consequences.
4. Use safe and trusted mainstream payment methods
Scam websites often lack integration with established payment platforms like PayPal. Integrating these platforms into your sites requires some processes that scammers are not willing to undertake. When shopping on Black Friday, opting for these trusted payment methods significantly enhances your safety.
Platforms like PayPal have a well-established reputation and security measures to ensure that their users are safe when shopping. While no method is entirely foolproof, the risks are considerably lower compared to other methods like cryptocurrency. Furthermore, using platforms like PayPal ensures that untrustworthy websites do not store your credit card details, which could potentially be exploited in the future.
5. Use strong passwords and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
Protect your online shopping accounts with robust passwords that are difficult to guess. It’s crucial to create unique passwords for each account and avoid common, easily guessable choices such as “123456” or using words related to your personal information such as your name or date of birth. You should also never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
To create complex and more secure passwords, we recommend using a password manager app like Dashlane or 1Password. A password manager can help you generate, store, and manage complex passwords securely. Additionally, consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for any shopping platforms that offer this feature. 2FA provides an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, typically a code sent to your phone number, email, or an authentication app. We recommend using authentication apps as they’re much more secure.
6. Ensure the site you’re visiting is safe (look for the padlock symbol)
When shopping online, it’s essential to verify the security of the websites you visit. Look for the padlock symbol in the address bar, which indicates that the website has an SSL certificate. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that data transmitted between your device and the website is encrypted and protected during transit.
Websites with SSL certificates will have URLs that start with “https://” instead of just “http.” Fortunately, most modern web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox, will alert you if you attempt to access a website lacking SSL security. If you get any warning errors prohibiting you from accessing a given site, make sure you don’t continue if you’re not sure of the site you’re visiting.
7. Be aware of fake notifications (smishing)
Smishing is a form of cyberattack that targets you through text messages that tempt the recipient to take a specific action. During the Black Friday season, you may receive various notifications, including order confirmations and delivery notifications. Scammers may pose as legitimate companies, attempting to trick you into revealing personal information like credit card details, passwords, or even your Social Security number.
They may also employ tactics like fake package delivery or order confirmation alerts, which could include links to update your personal information. Clicking these links can lead to the installation of malware on your device. Be cautious and verify the legitimacy of such messages before taking any action such as clicking the link.
8. Update your OS and browsers
Keeping your operating system (OS) and web browsers up to date is a fundamental step in maintaining your online security. The good news is that all the major platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows routinely release updates that include security patches to address known vulnerabilities.
These updates also introduce new security features designed to protect users from evolving cyber threats. Similarly, web browsers regularly release security updates to safeguard users from online attacks. By ensuring your OS and browser are up to date, you minimize your vulnerability to cyberattacks during the Black Friday season and throughout the year.
Final thoughts
Those are some of the tested ways to ensure your safety while browsing and shopping during the Black Friday season. The most important thing is to exercise caution in every action you take because you will encounter many “too good to be true” deals designed to tempt you into clicking links and sharing personal information. The primary objective of most scammers is to obtain your personal information, including your card details, which they can either sell to data brokers or use to access your funds.
The tips we have shared are relevant not only to individuals but also to companies and small businesses planning to shop online on Black Friday. Furthermore, it is advisable to consider leveraging the managed cybersecurity services provided by Wizard Cyber to ensure your safety not only on Black Friday but also in your future use of the internet and other networking-related services.
