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How do I avoid scams when shopping on Black Friday and at Christmas?

If a deal is far cheaper than anywhere else and wants you to buy right now, slow down. Go to the shop yourself instead of tapping the link, pay by credit card, and never pay by bank transfer.

By Cameron, cybersecurity management graduateBeginner3 min readUpdated

The signs of a shopping scam

Black Friday and the run-up to Christmas are busy for online shopping and deliveries, and the UK government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign says criminals know it. They use discounts, time limits and the fear of missing out to rush you. Be wary of:

  • Deals far below the normal price, especially “limited time” offers on laptops, phones, holidays or gadgets.
  • Last-minute tickets posted on social media for sold-out events that nobody else can get.
  • Messages about a parcel asking you to pay before it can be delivered, or because it’s been “lost”.
  • Pressure to act now. The NCSC says scams often lean on urgency, scarcity and the time of year to make you act without thinking.

Before you buy

  1. Stop and check. Don’t be rushed by a countdown timer. A real deal will still be there in five minutes.
  2. Go to the shop yourself. Don’t tap the link in the advert, text or email. Type the shop’s address into your browser, or search for it and read the results before clicking.
  3. Check reviews somewhere else. Look at trusted review websites, not the reviews on the shop’s own site.
  4. Find the shop’s terms and address. Citizens Advice says a real company should give a street address, not just a PO box.
  5. Don’t trust the padlock alone. A padlock in the address bar doesn’t prove the shop is real.

Not sure about a shop you’ve never used? Our guide How do I know if a website is safe to buy from? has the full checklist.

Pay the safe way

  • Use a credit card if you have one. Many credit card purchases are protected in the UK.
  • Never pay by bank transfer to a shop or seller you don’t know, and never pay with gift cards or vouchers.
  • Check out as a guest if you can, and don’t save your card details.
  • Protect your shopping accounts with a passkey where you can, or two-step verification.

Parcel and delivery texts

Criminals pretend to be delivery companies and send messages about a missed or held parcel. The link goes to a fake website that steals your money or details.

  1. Don’t tap the link in a delivery message you weren’t expecting.
  2. Check it yourself in the delivery company’s official app or website, or with the shop you ordered from.
  3. Report the text by forwarding it to 7726. It’s free.

More on this in How do I spot a scam text?

If you’ve been caught out

  • Tell your bank straight away, using the number on the back of your card or its official app. Many UK banks can also be reached safely by calling 159.
  • Report it to Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland.
  • Report the fake shop or advert to the NCSC, or a scam advert to the Advertising Standards Authority.
  • If you clicked a link or typed in details, follow What do I do if I clicked a scam link?

Sources