Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner and shoppers are hunting for the best deals. But criminals will attempt to exploit this peak in online shopping to trick you into purchasing something that doesn’t exist. 

Whether you’re shopping for fashion, furniture or a new phone – it’s important to follow our practical tips to help you stay safe from purchase scams this year. 

1. Be cautious of ‘too good to be true’ offers

Criminals will try to draw you in with huge discounts on items.. Ask yourself – why is this seller offering it at such a low price? If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

2. Always check who you’re buying from

Take your time to research the seller or retailer before you buy. A quick online search for reviews, ratings, and customer experiences can help you determine if it’s trustworthy. 

Criminals also use ‘cloned’ websites with slight changes to the URL to trick you into thinking you’re purchasing from the genuine site. These can look convincing, so always double-check the website’s URL. 

If you’re purchasing through an online or second-hand marketplace, you can also reverse image search the product’s photos to check if the photo is being used in multiple places. This is an indicator that the seller is not genuine.

3. Use secure payment methods

Always use a secure payment platform from trusted retailers and avoid paying by bank transfer.  

Where possible, use a credit card as you get extra protection if you’re making a purchase over £100 and up to £30,000.

4. Avoiding clicking on links from social media, message or email

Criminals send more ‘phishing’ emails and messages at this time of year. They pretend to be genuine retailers to trick you into giving away your details or buying something that doesn’t exist. 

If you receive an email or message promoting offers or products, don’t click on any links. Head to the website by opening your browser separately and typing in the URL you know to be true. Clicking on any links from emails or messages could take you to a fake site where criminals can get your information and take your money. 

Criminals also use social media to create fake ads to trick you into making a purchase. If you see offers advertised on social media this Black Friday, don’t click on the link in the ad. Instead, visit the retailer’s website directly from your browser.

5. Follow our Take Five advice

Black Friday can be a criminals’ favourite time of the year to trick people into purchasing things that don’t exist – they know that customers can be especially vulnerable in the heat of the moment when trying to grab a bargain. 

Always follow our Take Five to Stop Fraud advice: 

• Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe. 

• Challenge: Ask yourself, could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. 

• Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0330 123 2040. 

Stay safe, and happy shopping!