This year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday online sales are expected to be the busiest ever with many stores closed and shoppers searching for bargains from home. However, Barclays is warning shoppers to be extra vigilant as data1 reveals that Black Friday shoppers that fall victim to an online scam this week could lose an average of £735 each.
Barclays warned shoppers to be careful with some of the most popular goods, as the top four most commonly scammed items last year were:
- Electronics (TVs, laptops, tablets, headphones)
- Trainers
- Phones
- Clothing
Shopping scams were also one of the top ways scammers got victims to part with their cash in the first half of 2020, with criminals increasingly using social media to lure in victims and scams continuing to rise.
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Ross Martin, Barclays Head of Digital Safety, said: “Due to many shops being closed, this year’s Black Friday may look a bit different as many of us will look to bag a bargain online. It’s crucial that we are all aware of the risks and do not let our guards down or rush into purchases. Using sophisticated techniques, criminals will be preparing to exploit our desperation for this year’s best bargains. Make sure that you do your research and carry out the proper safety checks to stay ahead of the scammers”
A common shopping scam technique is for criminals to post fake advertisements at a low price to attract buyers. Victims are then tricked into revealing their personal information or transferring money via bank transfer, rather than a secure payment method, and the goods are never received.
These scams accounted for 57 per cent of all reported bank transfer scams, with the number of cases up 6 per cent compared to the first half of 2019 and worth a total of £27.1 million2.
According to Barclays’ own data, shopping scams make up 44 per cent of the total number of scam claims and 12 per cent of the value.
So, as shoppers log online instead of rushing to the shops this Black Friday weekend, Barclays is providing some safety tips to help beat the scammers:
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Barclays’ top tips to help protect shoppers this Black Friday
- Stop and think before making a purchase: During stressful shopping sale days online, people make impulse buys as they fear the deal will run out. Be sure to stop and think before you buy and ensure the website you’re buying from is legitimate. Be cautious if you’re asked to pay via bank transfer and remember that paying by debit, credit card, or the website’s recommended payment service, will provide you with more protection than paying by bank transfer.
- Some deals are too good to be true: Scammers will always try to lure you in with cheap deals on in-demand items. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Read the reviews:Before making a purchase, always check the product’s reviews. This will offer good guidance on whether the item, or the website you are buying from, is real or fake.
- Protect your details: Do not share any unnecessary personal information. If making a purchase, only provide your name, address and payment details. Beware of fake email order confirmations or delivery messages that may look genuine but could be trying to steal your details. Verify communications before sharing any information.
- Stay vigilant: Keep an eye on your statement so that you can spot and report fraudulent transactions quickly.
- Don’t ignore your concerns: If you have concerns about a website or an item, do not enter your payment details. Remember, always look out for the padlock symbol in the web address to ensure that the link between you and the website owner is secure. If this symbol is not there, do not continue to payment or enter any of your personal details.
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