Black Fridayis upon us, and with it comes many opportunities for users to bescammedout of their hard-earned money.
HighlightsScam websites surged 89% over last year, FBI warns holiday shoppers.80% of shopping offers hitting inboxes are fraudulent during holidays.FBI advises verifying URL legitimacy before making online purchases.Experts warn creating fake websites is now easier than ever.
Because of this, theFBIreleased anew warningdetailing how users should protect themselves and their wallets during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the rest of the holiday season.
“These shadow sites, enticing consumers with deals that might seem out of place were it not Black Friday, are intended to trick a consumer into entering sensitive details, like payment info or a set of credentials, into the fraudulent site,” Check Point stated.
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The FBI issued a new warning as Black Friday scams rise to an impressive 89% over last year, according to a cybersecurity report
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TheFBIdivided its recommendations into seven crucial tips for users to keep their online shopping secure.
Before making anyonline purchase, it’s essential to verify that the website’s URL is legitimate and secure. A good starting point is to check for the padlock icon in the address bar and ensure that the web address begins with “https://.”
These indicators confirm that the site is using encryption to protect your data. If a site doesn’t have these security measures, it’s a good idea to move on and find a more secure alternative.
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Profiles without previous sales or user reviews usually host fake offers. It’s critical to conduct thorough research on the online shop to verify its reputation. However, the FBI noted that some reviews can be fake and invited people to dig deeper to ensure the site’s legitimacy.
The FBI urged users to conduct thorough research into the reputation of online sellers, no matter how tempting their offer might be
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TheBureaualso warned against sellers who claim to be authorized dealers or factory representatives in regions where such deals don’t exist. These sellers often accept orders but fail to ship legitimate products or, worse, nothing.
For instance, users on sites like Reddit have shared theirhorror storiesafter receiving a package that looks official on the outside—and is the correct weight—but has nothing but a brick inside once opened.
Anotherred flagis when a seller claims to be based in the U.S. but offers excuses, such as being abroad on business or for personal reasons, when questioned about their location. The FBI explains that this is a common tactic scammers use to cover for overseas operations.
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Lastly, the FBI advises never to pay for purchases using prepaid cards, as scammers often ask for gift card numbers and PINs and steal the funds without ever sending thepromised items.
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Experts stated that creating fake websites is now “easier than ever,” urging users to make sure they are on official websites before entering their personal information
Image credits:Eugenia Pankiv / Unsplash
Nicolás Vásquez, an analytics consultant for a banking and financial services company, spoke withBored Pandaabout the increase in fraudulent activity online.
“It has become incredibly easy for scammers to access andsteal your datadue to the simplicity of creating these fraudulent sites,” Vásquez explained.
“We’ve received many reports from users who have had their sensitive information compromised after falling for false websites that look identical to ours.”
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For the consultant, it’s paramount that people carefully review the URL they are visiting before they enter any important information. He recognizes that this task has become much more difficult due to the fear of missing out (FOMO) that Black Friday causes.
“Black Fridaycreates a sense of urgency that makes it easier for people to fall into these traps. You feel like you have toact fast, and that’s when mistakes happen,” he stated, warning people to be especially alert during the event.
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