🦃Black Friday is a retail phenomenon rooted in the United States, traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers long used this day to lure consumers with massive discounts and promotional events. Over the decades, what began as a one-day event in U.S. stores has evolved into a global shopping frenzy. Today, countries across Europe, Asia, and even the United Kingdom participate in Black Friday sales, often combined with Cyber Monday promotions for online shopping.
🌍 THE GLOBAL SPREAD AND SCAM ALERT
As Black Friday spread internationally, so did the attention of fraudsters. Social media posts, emails, and news alerts from countries as far as the UK now warn of Black Friday scams. Scammers exploit the chaos, pressure, and urgency of the shopping season to trick consumers, both online and in physical stores.
⏳ URGENCY IS THE SCAMMER'S FAVORITE TOOL
One of the most consistent signs of a scam is urgency. Fraudsters craft messages and schemes that pressure consumers to act immediately. Black Friday naturally generates this urgency with limited-time deals, flash sales, and countdowns. Scammers take advantage of these conditions to steal personal information, money, and even physical property.
🎯 HOW SCAMS PLAY OUT ONLINE AND IN STORES
- Fake Websites and Online Stores - Fraudsters build sites resembling major retailers, offering “unbelievable” discounts. Victims may input credit card information or create accounts, only to find that products never arrive.
- Phishing Emails and Social Media Ads - Messages claim exclusive deals that require clicking links or providing personal data, often leading to malware or credential theft.
- Quishing (QR Code Scams) - In-store shoppers are increasingly targeted with fake discount QR codes. Scanning these codes can direct phones to fraudulent websites that steal payment information or install malicious software in what is called Quishing, even parking meters are targets
- Point-of-Sale Credit Card Skimming - In the crowded chaos of Black Friday, criminals may tamper with card readers in stores. Unsuspecting shoppers swipe their cards on compromised devices, giving scammers access to account information.
- Bogus Coupons and Gift Cards - Promises of massive savings or free items lure consumers into paying upfront for codes or vouchers that do not exist.
🌍 A WORLDWIDE ISSUE
While Black Friday originated in the U.S., reports of scams have emerged globally. Social media and forums in the UK have highlighted numerous attempts to trick consumers into believing they are accessing legitimate deals from known brands. The internationalization of shopping has given scammers a broader target, and even seasoned shoppers can fall prey when urgency clouds judgment.
🤔 PAUSE, BREATHE, THINK
No deal is worth being scammed. Even when shopping from legitimate retailers, taking a moment to pause and breathe before buying can prevent mistakes. Scammers rely on impulse and chaos, whether online or in crowded stores. Verify QR codes, inspect card readers, and slow down before entering payment information. A few seconds of caution can save consumers from hours of stress, financial loss, and compromised personal information.
🔐 STAY SAFE THIS SHOPPING SEASON
The key takeaway is simple: urgency is a red flag. Even during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, taking a moment to verify a deal or payment method can save consumers from falling victim to fraud. Scammers will continue to follow the global shopping calendar, but awareness, caution, and a breath before buying remain the best defense.
- Log in to post comments