A significant weekend of shopping is approaching, with Black Friday 2025 set to begin tomorrow, on November 28. This yearly event is renowned for its substantial discounts on technology, fashion, home appliances, and more, providing an excellent opportunity to secure great deals and save money. However, it also marks a high-risk period for fraudulent activities.
Cybercriminals are notorious for taking advantage of the buzz surrounding Black Friday, utilizing various deceptive methods to target unsuspecting shoppers. In an effort to combat scams, UK network O2 recently issued a cautionary alert about the escalating online threats, followed by a similar warning from Amazon.
Amazon, in an email communicated to users and reviewed by Mirror Online, emphasized the importance of being vigilant during the busy shopping season. The company advised users to be cautious of impersonation scams, where scammers pose as trusted entities to obtain sensitive information like personal details, financial data, or Amazon account credentials.
Amazon highlighted the tactics employed by cybercriminals during Black Friday, including sending fake delivery notifications, requesting updates to shopping accounts, and creating false urgencies to address non-existent issues. Falling victim to these ploys could result in unwittingly disclosing highly confidential information that scammers can exploit for financial gain or unauthorized access.
Some prevalent scams reported by Amazon involve deceptive messages regarding delivery or account issues, misleading social media posts endorsing unrealistic deals, and requests for passwords or payment details via unofficial channels. Another common scheme is sending suspicious links that prompt customers to “verify” their account credentials on counterfeit or phishing websites.
Emphasizing customer safety, Amazon outlined five essential guidelines for navigating the upcoming shopping period:
– Utilize the Amazon mobile app or website for all shopping activities, account management, and customer service needs.
– Be cautious as Amazon will never request payments or payment information (including gift cards or wire transfers) over the phone.
– Consider enabling 2-step verification for added account security.
– Enhance security by using a passkey for signing in securely.
– Stay wary of urgency tactics employed by scammers and avoid acting hastily.
To secure the best deals this Black Friday, it is crucial to remain vigilant and only make purchases through official platforms like Amazon.co.uk. Additionally, exercise caution with unexpected text or email messages and refrain from clicking on any suspicious links promising deals.
