As customers around the globe race to claim the best Black Friday deals, cybersecurity experts warn them to look out for scams.
In the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued updated guidance for online shoppers ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The tips encouraged bargain hunters to be selective about where they shop, only providing necessary information, using a secure protected payment, keep their accounts secure, to be alert to suspicious texts, emails and phone calls, and what to do if things go wrong.
“At this time of year our inboxes are filling up with promotional emails promising incredible deals, making it hard to tell real bargains from scams,” said Sarah Lyons, NCSC deputy director for economy and society.
“We want online shoppers to feel confident they’re making the right choices and following our tips will reduce the risk of giving an early gift to cyber criminals. If you spot a suspicious email, report it to us or if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank as soon as you can.”
The warning comes after cyber criminals have already increased their activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, IDnow’s recent report suggests that fraud cases jumped by 250% between March and June this year.
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