A significant shopping weekend is approaching as Black Friday 2025 is set to start tomorrow, on November 28. This yearly event is renowned for offering substantial discounts on various items such as technology, fashion, and household appliances, presenting an excellent opportunity for shoppers to secure great deals and save money. However, it also marks a high-risk period for fraudulent activities.
Cybercriminals are notorious for taking advantage of the Black Friday frenzy, employing various deceitful tactics to target unsuspecting consumers. To combat the increasing online attacks, UK network O2 has issued a cautionary alert, and Amazon has followed suit with its own important notification.
In an email communication to users, Amazon highlighted the importance of staying vigilant during the busy shopping season. They emphasized the need to be cautious of impersonation scams, where scammers pose as trusted entities to obtain sensitive information like personal details, financial data, or Amazon account credentials.
Amazon warns that cybercriminals utilize a range of strategies during Black Friday to prey on unsuspecting shoppers. These tactics include sending fake delivery notifications, falsely claiming account updates are required, and creating fake urgency to resolve non-existent issues.
Those who fall victim to these scams may inadvertently disclose highly confidential information, enabling scammers to commit financial fraud or gain unauthorized access to accounts.
According to Amazon, prevalent scams in November involve deceptive messages about delivery or account issues, misleading social media posts from third parties promoting seemingly unrealistic deals, and requests for passwords or payment information through unofficial means.
Another common tactic is the dissemination of unfamiliar links that prompt customers to “verify” their account details on fake or phishing websites. Amazon explicitly states that they never request customers to verify their account credentials via email.
To navigate the upcoming shopping period safely, Amazon has shared five essential guidelines for shoppers:
– Always use the Amazon mobile app or website for shopping, customer service inquiries, account modifications, delivery tracking, and refund status.
– Be aware that Amazon will never ask for payments or payment details (including gift cards or wire transfers) over the phone.
– Consider enabling 2-step verification on your online accounts when available to enhance security. This feature can be set up at amazon.co.uk/2SV.
– Enhance security and save time by using a passkey for sign-ins, which is more secure than traditional passwords. The passkey can be configured at amazon.co.uk/passkey.
– Exercise caution when someone pressures you to act urgently, as scammers often use this tactic to manipulate victims.
For those seeking Black Friday discounts, it is crucial to remain vigilant and shop exclusively on official websites like Amazon.co.uk. Be wary of unsolicited text or email messages and avoid clicking on any suspicious links promising deals.