A significant weekend of shopping is approaching, as Black Friday 2025 is set to commence on November 28. This annual event is renowned for its extensive discounts on various products such as tech gadgets, fashion items, and home appliances, presenting a great opportunity for consumers to grab deals and save money. However, it also marks a high-risk period for fraudulent activities.
Cybercriminals are notorious for taking advantage of the Black Friday frenzy, employing various deceptive tactics to target unsuspecting shoppers. To combat the escalating online threats, UK network O2 recently issued a cautionary alert, followed by a similar advisory from Amazon.
In an email disseminated to users, Amazon emphasized the importance of staying vigilant during the busy shopping season. The company warned about impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as trusted entities to extract sensitive information like personal data, financial details, or Amazon account credentials.
Amazon highlighted several red flags that consumers should be wary of during the Black Friday sales period. These may include receiving fake delivery notifications, deceptive alerts urging account updates, or coercive tactics to address non-existent issues.
Victims falling prey to these schemes may inadvertently disclose highly confidential information, enabling scammers to perpetrate financial fraud or gain unauthorized access to accounts.
According to Amazon, prevalent scams in November often involve deceptive messages related to deliveries or account discrepancies, misleading social media posts promoting unrealistic deals, and solicitations for passwords or payment information through unofficial channels.
Another common strategy employed by scammers is sending suspicious links that prompt customers to validate their account credentials on counterfeit or phishing websites.
Amazon cautioned that they never request customers to verify their account credentials via email. To navigate the upcoming shopping frenzy safely, Amazon has shared five essential guidelines for consumers to adhere to:
– Utilize the official Amazon mobile app or website for all shopping activities, customer service inquiries, account modifications, delivery tracking, and refund status checks.
– Be cautious as Amazon will never ask for payments or payment information (including gift cards or wire transfers) via phone calls.
– Consider enabling 2-step verification on online accounts where available to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access.
– Enhance security by setting up a passkey, a more secure login method than passwords, utilizing face, fingerprint, or PIN authentication.
– Exercise caution when encountering urgent requests from potential scammers and avoid acting hastily.
To secure the best deals this Black Friday, consumers are advised to remain vigilant and exclusively shop through authorized platforms like Amazon.co.uk. Additionally, it is crucial to be cautious of unsolicited text or email messages and refrain from clicking on any suspicious links promising discounts.