Shoppers are not the only ones hoping to take advantage of Black Friday today. Fraudsters are also hoping to cash in. Crime reporter SIMON PARKIN explains how to stay one step ahead of the scams
Black Friday creates opportunities not only for bargain hunters, but scammers too.
Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has revealed that people lost £15.3m during the festive period last year – with the average loss being £1,000.
Norfolk’s total consumer losses from fraud and cybercrime saw a 20-fold increase in the last three months of 2021 which covered Black Friday and Christmas.
Examples of scams included one shopper losing more than £150 trying to purchase a mobile phone via social media and another being duped out of £7,000 while attempting to buy a campervan online.
Now, a campaign has been launched providing shoppers with advice for Black Friday and Christmas shopping season.
This advice includes protecting accounts with two-step verification and strong passwords using three random words.
Shoppers are also advised to research online retailers by checking feedback and consumer websites and to pay securely, with credit cards if possible as they provide better protection or with payment platforms such as PayPal, Google or Apple Pay.
Pauline Smith, head of Action Fraud, said: “I urge shoppers to be…
