The Dark Side of Deals: Beware of These Cyber Monday and Black Friday Scams

Published on November 13, 2024 | LPL Financial

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to find amazing deals, but they’re also a prime time for scammers. While you’re hunting for bargains, stay alert to avoid getting caught in a scam. Here are some common tricks to watch out for so you shop safely.

Fake Websites

Sometimes a scammer may send an email with a link to a fake website that looks like a real store. Before you buy anything, check the address bar. Many scam websites use extra letters in the URL or a capital “I” instead of an “L.” For example, WaImart.com (with a capital “I”) is almost indistinguishable from Walmart.com (with a lower-case “L” appearing as “l”). These may be hard to spot, so if in doubt, use a free URL checker like Google’s Safe Browsing. Also look at the beginning of the web address; a secure web address begins with “https.”

Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers frequently offer dirt-cheap prices on brand-name electronics or popular shoes, etc. Stay alert; compare prices with competing stores. If one site has a product for a fraction of what everyone else is offering, you’re probably being ripped off.

Fake Order Confirmations

Beware of any email that tells you that you ordered something that you didn’t. These emails try to make you panic and click a “cancel order” button. If you are at all in doubt about whether you ordered something, check your accounts directly through the store’s website.

Gift Card Scams

Gift cards make ideal holiday presents, but sometimes they may  be risky. Scammers might try to sell you worthless or stolen gift cards, so buy them only from trusted stores. Never buy electronic gift cards listed for sale on online markets, or from people or entities outside a retailer’s normal distribution channels.

Shipping Scams

Shipping scams are common at this time of year. Perhaps you’ll get a message that an item is having trouble being delivered and you should pay a fee by mailing a check or by providing some personal information. Always track shipments directly from the store or the delivery company’s website.

Social Media Scams

You may get a pop-up on your social media feed advertising a huge discount code. It might be fake. Do your homework before clicking on a link or buying anything, especially if it is from a brand you aren’t familiar with.

Fake Reviews

Scammers may leave fake reviews designed to improve the perception of their item’s quality. When looking up reviews, be discerning. Most reviews should be mixed: some good, some bad. A “perfect” rating or nothing but glowing reviews might be a red flag.

Limited Time Offers

Scammers may tell you that it’s your only chance, that the deal won’t last. They are counting on you to make an impulse purchase. DON’T. Instead, go online and see if the deal is real.

By staying alert and following these tips, you may enjoy the holiday deals without falling for a scam. Stay safe and happy shopping!

Important Disclosures:

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

This article was prepared by WriterAccess.

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