With Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approaching, the excitement of bargain hunting is already attracting unwelcome attention: online scammers are actively targeting unsuspecting shoppers. While the official sales period begins on 27th November, cybercriminals are launching their attacks early, exploiting the pre-holiday rush. This article highlights three key scams to watch out for and advises on how to protect your finances and personal data.
The surge in online shopping around Black Friday and Cyber Monday creates a lucrative opportunity for fraudsters. Cybersecurity experts warn that these criminals don't take breaks between major sales events; instead, they intensify their efforts, capitalising on the increased online activity. A heightened sense of caution is therefore crucial when encountering offers that seem too good to be true. Malwarebytes, a leading cybersecurity firm, reinforces this warning, stating that where there's a gift to be bought, there's a scammer looking to profit. They've identified three primary threats consumers should be particularly wary of: brand impersonation scams, credit card skimmers, and malicious advertising.
Brand Impersonation Scams: Fraudulent advertisements are already circulating, offering significant discounts on popular items, such as PlayStation 5 consoles, via platforms like Temu. However, many such deals are deceptive; Temu, for example, doesn't sell PS5 consoles. Clicking on these enticing offers often leads to pages selling unauthorised accessories or other counterfeit goods. Similarly, fake Amazon branding is being used to sell counterfeit products, and numerous scams involve bogus Walmart gift cards. The classic "missed delivery" scam also persists, with fraudsters sending fake notifications and demanding payment for non-existent parcels â a tactic designed to obtain credit card details.
Amazon is actively combating these scams. A spokesperson confirmed that Amazon employs a dedicated team of investigators and machine learning specialists to identify and disrupt fraudulent activity, taking down phishing websites swiftly and disabling scam phone numbers within the same day of reporting. In 2023 alone, these efforts resulted in the removal of over 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 scam phone numbers, with hundreds of perpetrators reported to law enforcement globally. Amazon advises customers who suspect they've been targeted to report the incident immediately via their Report A Scam service and to contact their bank. The Amazon A-to-Z Guarantee provides further consumer protection, offering refunds for faulty or undelivered products from third-party sellers.
Credit Card Skimmers: Malwarebytes has uncovered several smaller online retailers unknowingly hosting credit card skimmers within their checkout processes. These are typically injected by malicious actors, making it difficult to identify compromised websites. The cybersecurity firm suggests avoiding sites appearing outdated or neglecting security updates, often indicated by outdated copyright notices. They recommend using a browser extension such as Malwarebytes Browser Guard to detect these skimmers.
Malicious Advertising (Malvertising): This long-standing threat uses online advertisements, sponsored search results, and other similar channels to deliver malware. The insidious nature of this technique is its ability to bypass traditional security measures. A simple click on a seemingly legitimate advertisement can trigger a malware infection. Malwarebytes reports a concerning surge in malvertising incidents, with a 41% increase from July to September 2024, highlighting the increasing threat during the holiday shopping season. To mitigate this risk, consumers are advised to avoid clicking sponsored ads altogether and instead use organic search results or navigate directly to trusted websites.
In conclusion, while Black Friday offers attractive deals, consumers must remain vigilant against the growing threat of online scams. By understanding the tactics employed by fraudsters and taking proactive steps to protect personal information and financial details, shoppers can enjoy the sales safely and responsibly. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
