FBI Warns of Black Friday Fraud

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales begin, the FBI has issued a warning about a rise in online scams targeting shoppers. The alert highlights a sharp increase in fraudulent websites and phishing attacks this holiday season, with reports showing an 89% rise in scam sites compared to last year and nearly 80% of promotional emails being fraudulent.

For users of Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers, which dominate the US market, the FBI advises shoppers to be cautious. They recommend checking URLs for subtle misspellings and avoiding offers that seem too good to be true. Always verify website URLs, ensuring they start with “https://” and include a padlock symbol for security. Avoid purchasing from unknown sellers without reviewing their legitimacy.

Cybersecurity experts warn that many scam sites are impersonating well-known brands like Stüssy, Longchamp, Wayfair, and SOREL, using URLs such as stussycanadablackfriday.com and wayfareblackfriday.com. Additionally, shoppers should be wary of using prepaid gift cards, as scammers often request them, and stick to secure payment methods like credit cards for added protection.

Experts also caution against phishing, with 75% of Black Friday marketing emails identified as scams designed to steal personal data or install malware. Shoppers are advised to avoid suspicious links and QR codes and to be cautious of emails from unfamiliar sources.
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