Black Friday Fraud Shield: Guarding Against AI-Enhanced Scams

Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent a massive opportunity for shoppers, but they also represent peak season for cybercriminals. With the rise of AI tools, scams are now more convincing and harder to spot than ever before. Use this guide to shop safely and know exactly how to report suspicious activity.

1. The Latest Scam Tactics: What to Watch For

Scammers are constantly innovating, relying on urgency and highly realistic impersonations to trick shoppers.

🚨 AI-Generated Fake Websites & Deepfakes

AI tools are now used to create nearly flawless fake retail websites, complete with stolen logos, high-quality product images, and fabricated customer reviews.

• Spoofed Sites: The only giveaway may be a subtle misspelling in the URL (e.g., amaz0n.co instead of amazon.com). These sites are designed to capture your login credentials and credit card information.

• Deepfake Ads: Watch out for social media ads or videos featuring seemingly legitimate influencers or celebrities (deepfakes) promoting exclusive, too-good-to-be-true deals. Clicking these links leads straight to a fraudulent storefront.

📧 Phishing, Smishing, and Qishing

These are attempts to steal your information via email, text message (SMS/Smishing), or even QR codes (Qishing).

• Fake Order Confirmations: You receive a message about a large purchase you didn't make, with a link to "cancel the order." The goal is to panic you into clicking the link, which takes you to a phishing site to "verify" your payment or account details.

• Delivery Scams: Messages claiming your package is "stuck" or requires a small payment to be released. Legitimate couriers rarely ask for unexpected payments via text links.

• "Qishing" (QR Code Phishing): Scammers place fraudulent QR codes in public spaces or mail. Scanning the code directs you to a malicious website or initiates a malware download.

🎁 Social Media Giveaway Scams

Fraudsters comment under genuine posts or run fake accounts promising huge prizes (consoles, high-end electronics). They urge you to "DM us to claim your prize" or "pay a small shipping fee." A real company will never ask for payment or sensitive personal/banking information to receive a prize.

2. Your Essential Black Friday Prevention Checklist

Follow these steps for a secure shopping experience:

Action

Why It's Critical

Go Direct to the Source

Never click links from unexpected emails, texts, or social media ads. Type the retailer's official website address directly into your browser.

Verify the URL (HTTPS)

Always check that the website address begins with https:// (the 's' is for secure) and look for the padlock icon. Check the spelling for any subtle errors.

Use a Credit Card

Credit cards offer better consumer fraud protection and chargeback rights than debit cards. Use secure third-party payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay where possible.

Avoid Unusual Payments

NEVER pay for goods using bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate online retailers do not require these payment methods.

Enable 2FA/MFA

Turn on two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) for all important shopping, email, and banking accounts to prevent account takeover, even if your password is stolen.

Cross-Check Prices

If a deal looks "too good to be true" (e.g., 90% off a brand-new console), it is almost certainly a scam or counterfeit product.

3. How to Report Black Friday Scams

If you have spotted a scam or believe you have fallen victim to one, acting quickly is essential to limit potential damage.

Step 1: Report Immediately to Your Bank

If you have lost money or entered your card details into a suspicious site, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately. They can freeze your accounts and begin the process of recovering funds.

Step 2: Report to Anti Frauds Investigators (Your Channel)

We encourage you to report all suspicious Black Friday activity directly to us. This helps us track local trends and warn the community fast.

• Report Scams to Anti Frauds Investigators: Please use our dedicated online reporting form or email us:

  • Online Form: 

  • Email: scams@antifraudinvestigators.co.uk

  • Phone: 01207261259 SCAM-ALERT Helpline

Step 3: Report to National Authorities (For official action)

In addition to reporting to us, it is vital to inform the relevant government and national anti-fraud agencies to ensure the scam is investigated and taken down.

• Suspicious Emails: Forward the email to the national Suspicious Email Reporting Service (e.g., report@phishing.gov.uk).

• Suspicious Text Messages (Smishing): Forward the suspicious text message to 7726. This free service helps mobile providers investigate and block malicious numbers.

• Fake Websites/Cyber Crime: Report the incident to your national fraud reporting center (e.g., Action Fraud in the UK) or the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) so they can work to remove the fraudulent content.

• Fake Ads: Report fraudulent ads directly on the social media platform (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) and to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Remember, if you feel pressured or rushed, STOP. A genuine deal will still be there after you take a moment to verify it.