Each year millions of people in the UK make the most of Black Friday offers and this year Black Friday 2023 is set to be a popular one. These are in shops and online and a great way to make savings on your Christmas shopping. Or it can be for something you have wanted for a while but just needed a price reduction!
When is Black Friday?
Friday 24th November.
Even though Black Friday can be a great and exciting time of the year, it can also be one when Fraud increases.
We wanted to share what to be aware of and how to avoid ‘scams’.
Black Friday typical scam:
1. Scammer advertises a fake sale of a popular item, this can be on social media, online marketplaces or by creating a fake website.
2. The buyer shows interest in the item, and initially the fraudster may be friendly and helpful.
3. The scammer then creates a sense of panic and requires the buyer to pay urgently, insisting that the payment is made via a bank transfer up front rather than through PayPal or cash on collection.
4. Once the payment has been made, the seller usually disappears or communication stops, leaving the customer out of pocket. No item is even received.
What to do next?
If you are concerned that you have been a victim of a purchase scam, contact your bank and even the police to get a crime reference number.
How to protect yourself for Black Friday 2023
- Question whether you are buying from a reputable retailer or website. If you are unsure, then check their social media page to gauge feedback. Check several review sites and compare them. This helps rule out any fake reviews left by fraudsters.
- If buying from a reputable site where the seller is an individual such as eBay, stick to the advice and process they’ve provided. Never communicate outside the site.
- Avoid paying in cash, or by bank transfer, where you can pay with secure payments, such as PayPal or by using your debit card.
- If you’re buying an item of value, contact the seller and make sure you keep all copies of any conversations.
- Never send personal or financial details by email.
- If something seems too good to be true, it no doubt is.
Further advice from Suits Me
With the cost-of-living pressures increasing, this Black Friday and Christmas period, more of us are likely to look for a bargain whether that’s on an online marketplace or on social media. But shoppers need to be on their guard to avoid falling victim to a scammer. Don’t be pressured into paying for something using a bank transfer, instead stick to the payment advice that the buying site recommends.
Suits Me have discounts and offers all year round so make sure you check these out!
