5 Black Friday Scams To Look Out For In 2024
Black Friday shopping is just days away. And so are the Black Friday scams we are all exposed to. Black Friday is landing on November 29th this year. That means shoppers will be extra anxious to start their holiday shopping. But a race to score some killer deals can’t let us be off our guard against those inevitable Black Friday scams. Here are five that you should look out for this year.
Black Friday Scams Will Be Everywhere, So Keep An Eye Out
Black Friday shopping is one of the biggest events of the year. Unfortunately, Black Friday scams come along with that. In fact, experts at Bonus.com warn us that scammers will be increasing their efforts during the Black Friday rush, so being extra vigilant is vital to a successful shopping experience. Here are five things to look out for while shopping this Black Friday.
1. Counterfeit or Fake Products
A lot of third-party sellers come out of the woodwork or up their selling game during the Black Friday rush. They often list products that look legit but are actually counterfeit or low-quality or don’t come with expected warranties or certifications.
To avoid falling victim to these Black Friday scams, be aware of who you are buying from. Unknown brands or items listed at unbelievably low prices are something you should look deeper into. And multiple 5-star reviews aren’t enough. Make sure those stars come with detailed feedback by real people.
It’s also safer to buy products from brands or sellers you know and trust. And items marked as “Fulfilled by Amazon” or “Amazon’s Choice,” which are generally more reliable.
2. Fake “Winning” Notifications
Anyone who spends any time online gets a ridiculous number of pop-up notifications telling us we won something. This is especially true with online shopping. Black Friday scams using this technique are abundant. But there’s an easy way to keep yourself safe. Often scammers will send these notifications, usually saying you won a big prize like a T.V., but then ask for personal information. Including home addresses or credit card info, allegedly to cover shipping costs. Right there, red flag!!
No legitimate giveaway would require the winner to cover shipping costs. PERIOD. Never give out that information, no matter how enticing the promised prize is. You won’t get it. But you might get the gift of your identification stolen if you fall for it.
3. Delivery Scams or Package Theft Alerts
Another popular scam that consumers experience all year long is the delivery scam. This is among the easier Black Friday scams to fall victim to. We want our packages and have a mini panic attack when we are told they have been lost. Tenfold as the holidays approach and we’re rushing to get those last-minute gifts.
But that adrenaline rush of last-minute gift buying sometimes blinds us to the obvious signs that we are being scammed. If you get a text or email from an unknown source telling you that your package can’t be delivered or was lost, do NOT click any link in that text or email. Those links can lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.
The only notifications to take seriously will come directly from the retailer’s official email or from the app you used to buy the item on. And always check the actually app or website of the retailer for any information about shipping. And above all else, never give personal or payment information to anyone claiming something needs to be redelivered with an added cost.
4. Phishing Texts and Email
Along the same lines as the fake delivery message is another form of email and texting scamming. This will look like a retailer sending an email or text message saying something is wrong with your delivery and more information is required. Often this message will ask for you to click a link to go back to the website and verify information.
Don’t do it. Never click a link in an email. Even if you are positive it came from the actual retailer. If it did, you’ll see the same notification when you directly log in to your account on their website or with their app. If it didn’t, you just saved yourself from a holiday nightmare by not taking the bait.
5. Fake Customer Service Scams
While it can happen with other companies, this scam happens a lot with alleged Amazon Customer Service representatives. They will reach out to you via email, text, chat or phone calls and ask for account information to verify your identity. They’ll compel you to do this by telling you there is an issue with your account or an order.
This is another scam. A legit customer service rep will not ask for personal information. Including passwords and payment info. Again, go directly to the retailer’s website or app to verify any issue that is really happening with your account. And never pay with a gift card or cash to these scammers or you won’t see that money again.
Bonus Tips For Happy Shopping
While it’s important to look out for these Black Friday scams specifically, there are other ways to keep yourself from being a victim of theft during your holiday shopping. Including never using public Wi-Fi to make online purchases or entering personal information. Use credit cards when you can, as they provide better fraud protection than debit cards. Keep your shopping apps up-to-date. And always protect your accounts with a unique and strong password that doesn’t include information about you than can be found on your social media accounts.
The experts at Bonus.com warn that there is a 22% increase in fraud losses reported during the Black Friday shopping season. And the techniques used by scammers are more sophisticated and harder to detect. Keeping these tips in mind can help keep your holiday shopping from turning into a winter nightmare. Happy Shopping!
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