Paying more than you bargained for on Black Friday
Online scams trick consumers into paying for goods which they never receive.
It is the time of the year for one of the biggest money-saver shopping sprees, Black Friday.
Not only are the shops full of people, online traffic is busy as well.
If you don’t have a chance to hit the shops, or prefer not to stand in long queues, then online deals will most likely catch your interest.
Online shopping can spare you the trip, but can also cause you to lose your money due to cyber crime.
Cyber crime has become a new method of fraud, especially on Black Friday.
Customers are receiving these amazing specials via email and new websites, and when they see something they want, they are requested to immediately give their banking details because they are told the products are selling out, then the money is taken from their bank accounts and they end up not receiving the product they have purchased.
ALSO READ: 5 hacks to survive and thrive on Black Friday
To help prevent cyber crime on Black Friday happening to you, here are some helpful tips for you:
• Do not click through to websites on emails: First check the URL, and see if the letters have been replaced with numbers.
• Be sceptical: Low prices and high availability are red flags for scam sites.
• Phishing attacks: If you receive a link to download a mobile app, they can use your username or password to steal your data or install ransomware.
• Stick to well-known online retailers: If the site looks unprofessional, has spelling and grammar mistakes, then it is not a legitimate website.
• Make sure your connection is secure: When you are about to make an online purchase, check the address bar that it starts with https:// rather than https://.
• Check payment mode: Avoid sites that require direct payment methods from your bank.
• Use your credit card and not your debit card: A credit card has built-in fraud protection and is not linked to your savings account.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.
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