Black Friday Scams – A Growing Concern
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, with sales already in full swing, cybersecurity firm NordLayer is emphasizing the importance of vigilance against Black Friday scams. Despite a 2.3% increase in Black Friday spending in 2022, losses due to scams rose significantly by 22%, as per a Barclays study.
Types of Black Friday Scams to Be Aware Of
NordLayer categorizes Black Friday scams into five primary types, covering various stages of the shopping process, from research and marketing to the final purchase. Awareness of these scams is crucial to avoid falling victim to them.
Phishing Attacks: The Predominant Threat
The most common form of Black Friday scam is phishing, where urgency is created to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information. The time-sensitive nature of Black Friday sales makes it harder for shoppers to identify these scams.
Beware of Fake Websites
Another prevalent scam is the creation of fake websites, designed to mimic legitimate ones, often with the intention of receiving payments for non-existent products. Signs of a fake website include misspellings, unusual use of numbers, and incorrect domain names.
Other Deceptive Tactics Employed by Scammers
Hackers also resort to selling counterfeit or empty gift cards, setting up fake order confirmation pages, and leveraging social media platforms. Notably, 88% of all purchase scams occur through social media channels.
Expert Insight on Black Friday Scams
Carlos Salas, NordLayer’s head of web engineering and a cybersecurity expert, cautions that Black Friday scams offer fraudsters a higher success rate due to the increased volume of transactions and the urgency of the sales period.
Staying Vigilant Against Black Friday Scams
As Black Friday scams continue to evolve, staying alert and informed is vital, especially during the sales season. Being cautious can help protect not only your data but also your finances from falling into the wrong hands.
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