Staying Safe from Black Friday Shopping Scams!

Black Friday is just around the corner, and I am pretty sure you have already planned to shop for the things you like. However, with the increasing number of online shopping frauds and cybercrime, it gets a bit challenging to shop on Black Friday without any hassle. Well, not if you follow my tips on how to stay away from Black Friday shopping scams!

One of the most awaited shopping events is Black Friday, and millions of people spend billions of dollars to buy things at discounted rates. However, with the rise in online shopping behavior, there is also an increase in online shopping scams and fraudulent deals. So, here I am with some top-class hacks on how to stay safe from Black Friday shopping frauds.

Hacks For Saving This Black Friday

As per recent reports, some of the most common scam methods include fake websites, phishing emails, suspicious links, fraudulent orders, etc. So, it is necessary to shop with vigilant eyes and alertness. Otherwise, you might get trapped in scams as well.

Here are some hacks that you can apply yourself and save yourself from a Black Friday scam nightmare. Let’s check out the details now.

#1 Double-Check The Authenticity Of The Website

There is an increase in fake websites astonishingly resembling genuine websites. So, make sure you have double-checked the website thoroughly before purchasing anything from it.

Some of the best ways to find out the authenticity of the website is to check for its online reviews, customer feedback, and link address. If the website’s URL doesn’t have ‘http:’ or a lock icon, it is most probably an insecure site!

#2 Don’t Fall For Ridiculously Cheap Deals

Though I admit that Black Friday is all about lucrative deals and discounts, don’t fall for insanely cheap deals. Yes, you might come across crazy deals with ridiculous discount offers, but refrain!

It is one of the most common scams where scammers show you premium products online but deliver imperfect copies or don’t deliver at all. 

#3 Use Strong Passwords In Your Online Accounts 

Always use strong passwords in your online shopping accounts and payment options. This will help you from online fraudsters. Keep changing passwords frequently and use complex passwords to make your online accounts more secure.

#4 Beware Of Phony Orders And Delivery Notifications 

If you get calls for delivery notifications or telephonic notifications that ask for sensitive information or ask you to click on links, there is a high chance that they are fake. Nowadays, scammers are impersonating popular delivery organizations to scam buyers. Never share your personal details or payment information.  

#5 Beware Of Phishing Emails, Suspicious Links, And Text Messages

Apart from phony orders, beware of phishing emails and text messages containing links. It is common to get emails containing lucrative offers and deals. However, most of them are fake emails. You can find silly grammar mistakes or odd sentence formation. Don’t respond to these links, and avoid such voucher links.

#6 Don’t Donate In Unknown Charity Organizations

If you want to donate to charities for the greater good this Black Friday season, go through the charity websites thoroughly and check their authenticity on online platforms. It’s always better to donate to known charity websites because donation scams are quite common at these times!

#7 Don’t Use Public WiFi For Black Friday Shopping 

Refrain from using public internet connections as they are not totally safe for online transactions and might be hacked. So, always use secured WiFi connections to do your Black Friday shopping.

#8 Don’t Pay Through Suspicious QR Codes

QR Code scams or ‘quishing’ are other trouble. Scammers are creating fake QR codes linked to their fake websites. Don’t use QR codes to pay for your orders. You can check the authenticity of QR codes in public places and look for the difference.

#9 Enable Two Factor Authentication Feature

Always use two-factor authentication or 2FA features in your online transactions. The double layer of security will help you protect yourself from online scams. You will receive OTP or exclusive codes on your registered email account or phone number to complete the transaction or access the account. 

#10 Always Have Your Order Receipts

While making online purchases, ensure that you have receipts for your purchases. This will help you track your order or return and refund the item in the future.

#11 Always Use A Reliable And Secured Payment Mode

One of the best ways to shop online is to use secured payment methods. You can either use credit cards or PayPal to pay your purchases. These payment options will help you to trace your money if something goes wrong.

#12 Use Credit Cards For Black Friday Shopping

As per experts, use your credit cards instead of debit cards to shop during the Black Friday sale. They have better fraud protection and quick dispute resolution. 

How To Stay Safe From Black Friday Scams?

Some of the quick tips that you must not forget while doing Black Friday shopping are-

1. Never share your personal details, like your social security number, birth date, card details, OTP, etc., with anyone. Don’t enter these details using random links.
2. Buy through authentic and big websites online only.
3. You can do manual shopping instead of online shopping to avoid online fraud.
4. Keep a check on your bank account as well as shopping accounts. If you find anything suspicious or unusual activities, report them immediately.
5. If you feel anything suspicious, freeze your cards and report the scam to the official website of the Federal Trade Commission.

Conclusion

You don’t need to worry about Black Friday scams if you follow these pretty easy and effective hacks. You can enjoy your online Black Friday shopping without any hassle by keeping a vigilante’s eye and intelligent choices. If you come across suspicious websites or phishing emails, don’t forget to report them and share the details with your family and friends to save them from possible fraud. For any queries or questions related to Black Friday, drop a comment below! Thanks for reading.