The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a stark warning to shoppers about a surge in sophisticated Black Friday scams, urging households to be vigilant and to contact their bank immediately if they suspect fraud.
Sophisticated Scams Targeting Shoppers
With this year's Black Friday event falling on November 27, cyber criminals are capitalising on the increased spending in the run-up to Christmas. Jonathon Ellison, the NCSC's director for national resilience, stated that this period is prime time for fraudsters who use trusted brands and popular products to deceive people.
He explained that these criminals craft convincing schemes to trick consumers into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive personal and financial information.
The Rise of AI-Powered Fraud
The threat has evolved with technology. Adrian Ludwig from the tech company Tools for Humanity highlighted a disturbing new trend. He revealed that with AI, fraudsters can now create entire deceptive small-business identities in minutes, complete with fabricated faces, stories, and professional-looking online shops.
Nathaniel Jones of cybersecurity firm Darktrace provided a concrete example of how scammers operate. They often use subtle misspellings of well-known brands, such as turning John Lewis into J0hn Lewis (using a zero), to trick rushed consumers who may not notice the difference.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Money
Beyond being wary of suspicious offers, research from the consumer watchdog Which? suggests caution is needed even with seemingly legitimate deals. Their analysis found that around four in 10 Black Friday promotions were actually cheaper at other times of the year. Furthermore, 11% of the products they tracked were cheaper in the six months before the sales event.
The advice is clear: do not rush into impulse purchases. Take a moment to verify if a discount is genuine.
If you encounter a phishing email or a scam website, it is crucial to report it. You should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Sharing your experience can also help others stay alert.
Most importantly, immediately inform your bank if you have provided your details and notice any suspicious charges. They can take swift action, such as cancelling your card and monitoring your account for fraudulent activity.
