Black Friday is a time where Americans hit the stores and get the best prices for electronics and other items. Most often than not, their shopping carts are overflowing with gadgets and devices that are on sale. However, be wary. Black Friday is also a good opportunity for scams. USA Today provided five types of scams you should be wary of.
1) Dubious delivery confirmations
Online shoppers are usually the victim of dubious delivery confirmations. Expert fraudsters send out fake emails filled phishing links and viruses. Once clicked, you are in for some serious trouble.
So if you are one of those who are waiting for your online shopped items, be extra careful. Make sure that the emails you are opening is indeed from your online shopping site. Before then, do not click anything.
If in doubt, get in touch with the store itself.
2) Digital double-timing
This online phishing is done either through emails or through social media posts. They scream out the possibility of a sale - a bogus sale. Some scammers now resort to text messaging too, according to cyber security giant Norton. They call this vishing.
For text messages, scammers usually ask individuals to call a particular number to confirm some "suspicious activity in their financial account". Then, they'll ask for your financial and sensitive information. Again, do not fall prey to this tactics. Instead, contact your financial institution directly.
3) Faux online stores
Black Friday shoppers, with the hope of bagging a big discount, can also be lured in by fake websites.
"Beware of pop-up shops that show up around the holidays, as these stores can disappear before you know it," the Better Business Bureau warned shoppers. The only way to avoid this is to stop clicking that pop-up ad and go directly to your trusted online shopping retailers. Of course, read on reviews to make sure you are on the safe side.
4) Gift card gimmicks
Do not buy gift cards from third-party sellers, unless you are sure. For a safer tactic, go directly to a retailer store.
Endless exclusions
Exclusions are the biggest pitfall any buyer can fall into. This means that they shop til their heart drops and later on find out that the items they have chosen are "excluded" from the so-called sale.
Be sure that your chosen items really are eligible for such discounts and sales.
When shopping this Black Friday, always know what you are up to and up against, and never, ever give your financial and security information to anyone.
