What are Black Friday Sale and Cyber Monday Scams & Tips to Avoid Them

There are two major shopping events in the US namely Black Friday and Cyber Monday which arrives at the end of each year. Black Friday, which is held the day after Thanksgiving, initiates the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Cyber Monday, the following Monday, mainly focuses on online deals. Both such events have now become a global phenomenon, and have extended beyond the US as well.

But are you aware of the unknown scams and frauds happening during such sales? In this article, we will explore scams happening in Black Friday Sales and Cyber Monday, and ways to avoid being scammed.

Now, let’s discuss more about Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams.

What Are Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams?

As mentioned, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are big shopping events celebrated every year because millions of shoppers eagerly search to grab some great deals. These big sales also attract scammers who exploit shoppers’ excitement and use fear tactics to scam them. The ways the scammers scam you are numerous, from false offers, false product descriptions, or phishing, thus leading to various online shopping scams. Being aware of what Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams are can help steer you away from them.

5 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams You Should Be Aware Of

• Fake Websites and Ads
  Scammers build fake websites that actually look like popular retailers that sell their products at very low prices. Once someone enters payment details, they may never get their item or worse, and their personal information may also be stolen by the scammers.

• Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
  If a deal looks way too good to be real, it’s likely not. Avoid shopping from an online store or social media ad that sells huge discounts, even for popular items. These deals might get you to order fake or low-quality items.

• Phishing Scams
  Scammers used to send phishing emails or text messages that say you need to click a link that claims to be from your favorite brand to get a beneficial offer. These emails can lead you to some scammer’s websites that are created only to steal your personal as well as financial credentials.

• Mimicking Well-Known Brands
  Fake emails or even social media messages that claim to be from big brand names are another trick. Scams like these provide them with the opportunity to make a quick purchase—before the deal expires, only to find that the store doesn’t exist, or that it doesn’t have the product.

• Shipping Scams
  In this scam, a fake company might offer profitable discounts and ask for a small amount of money for “shipping fees” on products that never arrive. The victim loses the money paid, and no product is delivered.

Real-World Examples of Black Friday Scams

• Fake Amazon Deals
  Many scammers copied Amazon during Black Friday 2022, with fake offers on electronics like the latest gaming consoles or smartphones at deep discounts. If these deals were clicked by consumers, they would find themselves on phishing websites where their credit card information was stolen.

• Fake Retailer Websites
  And so, in 2021, many buyers were fooled into buying high-demand holiday toys from fake websites demanding these items are available from their sites for discounted prices. Customers would then get nothing and the sites would be taken down within hours, leaving no trace of the scammer.

Real-World Examples of Cyber Monday Scams

• Ad-Blocker Software Scam
  In 2020, fraudsters pushed ad-blocker software via pop-up ads on real websites during Cyber Monday. They claimed it would “improve your shopping experience” by getting rid of annoying content. But in reality, the software was just malware aimed at stealing your personal information.

• Fake Designer Handbags
  On Cyber Monday 2021, a bunch of shady online shops were marketing fake designer handbags. These sites looked legit and had prices that seemed unreal. Once people made their purchases, they never got their bags, and their data was stolen too.

How to Avoid Being Scammed by Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams?

• Shop with Trusted Retailers
  If you’re shopping online, though, only get from trusted, popular sites. Look for URLs that begin with “//https://’ (1) check security certificates to ensure your safety.

• Check Reviews and Ratings
  Make sure to look at customer reviews and product ratings before you buy anything. If you come across a website or seller with no reviews or feedback, that’s a warning sign.

• Avoid Unsolicited Offers
  Watch out for deals that pop up in your email, on social media, or through text messages. Scammers often use these channels to trick you. It’s way safer to check the retailer’s official website for the best offers.

• Look for Secure Payment Options
  Using a credit card or secure payment methods like PayPal can give you extra safety if things don’t go as planned. It’s best to steer clear of wire transfers or sending cash through unprotected ways.

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords
  Secure your profiles with hard and typical passwords to ensure that cybercriminals do not breach your personal and payment information.

• Activate Two-Factor Authentication
  Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts to enhance security, Which provides additional security to your login credentials.

Conclusion

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are simply great opportunities to get some overall amazing offers and deals, but you have to be alert and aware of some scams. By keeping the points stated earlier in mind and being conscious of regular fraud scams, you can happily shop through Black Friday and Cyber Monday and avoid all Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams.

Make sure to buy from reliable stores and websites that offer great deals at cheaper prices, be cautious of deals that look too amazing, and keep your personal and financial details safe.

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