Black Friday is a great time to snag some holiday deals, but it’s also a prime day for online scams. According to Leyla Bilge, the director of Norton’s Scam Research Labs, nearly half of online shoppers fall for scams every year, with 30% of those scams happening on Black Friday alone. So, while you’re looking for discounts, it’s important to stay aware of the common scams lurking online. Here are a few to watch out for—and tips to avoid falling for them:
1. Fake Online Stores
Each year, dozens of fake online stores pop up, and they can look really convincing. These scammers know how to make their websites look professional, so it’s not always easy to tell them apart from real shops. To spot a fake, be cautious of deals that seem “too good to be true.” If something costs $100 but is being sold for $10, it’s probably a scam.
Also, take a look at how the website asks for payment. Fake stores often ask you to pay with gift cards or via PayPal—methods that are hard to trace. If you notice any strange inconsistencies between what they promise at checkout and what they ask for later, don’t go ahead with the payment.
Another easy way to check a website’s legitimacy is by looking at its URL. For example, a fake site might use a name like amazonbeautifulcool.com instead of amazon.com. Always double-check the URL to ensure it matches the real company name. You can also use services like Norton Genie or check online reviews to verify whether the site is trustworthy.
2. “Smishing” Package Scams
With the holiday season comes a lot of package deliveries, which makes it easier for scammers to trick you with fake text messages or emails. These messages might look like they’re from UPS, Amazon, or the Post Office, telling you there’s a problem with your package or asking for more money.
To spot a fake, check the sender’s email address or phone number. If it looks strange or contains random characters, it’s a red flag. Real companies won’t send you links in emails, so if you get one, don’t click it. If you didn’t request the tracking number yourself, it’s best to ignore the message.
3. Fake Charity Scams
During the holidays, scammers love to impersonate charities, asking for donations for causes like disaster relief. They might send you emails, texts, or even set up fake websites that look like real charities.
Before donating, make sure the charity is legit. Check the website URL and phone numbers to verify the charity’s identity. You can also use services like Norton Genie or check sites like Reddit’s scam forum to help spot fake charities. Also, be cautious if a charity asks for donations through cash, gift cards, or wire transfers—these are major warning signs.
