10 tips on how to avoid scams on Black Friday

We have arrived in Black Friday week and this is a time that many people are eagerly awaiting to shop with incredible discounts. However, unfortunately, it is also an opportune time for scammers to take advantage of this shopping spree to make new victims.

Therefore, today we are going to give you 10 days to avoid getting scammed during Black Friday or even during your shopping routine, especially on the internet. Check it out!

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1. Choose well-known stores, or do a good search

Prioritizing well-known stores with a good reputation drastically reduces the risk of falling for scams. Established stores have clear refund policies, guarantees and greater security in payment processing.

But if you want to buy from a new website, it is very important to look for reviews from other customers. Sites like Reclame Aqui can help identify frequent problems faced by consumers, and it’s worth even asking friends and family. This doesn’t mean that every unknown store is a scam, but if you don’t have time to do more in-depth research about it, always go to the ones you already know.

2. Be wary of very low prices

On Black Friday it is very common to find great deals on different types of items, but when seeing advertisements and marketing, be realistic. There have been several scams with stores offering items that are normally expensive, such as TVs and iPhones, at incredibly cheap prices to deceive victims.

So if you see a price that seems too good to be true, be suspicious. Do not believe testimonials made on the website that sells these items, as many are false. When in doubt, follow the advice to research carefully, or simply avoid the risk.

3. Be wary of suspicious messages

During Black Friday, the amount of emails, text messages and social media ads increases significantly. Scammers take advantage of this to send fraudulent messages, known as phishing, which may appear legitimate but aim to steal personal or financial data.

These messages often include links to fake websites or request sensitive information such as bank details. A common tactic is to send messages pretending to be from well-known brands, claiming problems with an order or offering refunds. Never click on these links or provide personal information. If you receive something suspicious, go directly to the company’s official website to check its authenticity.

4. Check if the website is safe and genuine

In the case of online purchases, even in well-known and popular stores, you need to keep an eye on some details to ensure that it is the real deal. This is because many scammers use the name of well-known stores to redirect you to their website, and sometimes what changes in the address is a small letter or detail that goes unnoticed.

First, always check if the website has a padlock in the browser’s address bar and if the URL starts with “https”, which indicate that the connection is secure. But it is still not a guarantee that the site is legitimate. So, in addition, keep an eye out if you find the website poorly designed, pay attention to see if there are errors in Portuguese or even very low prices.

5. Be careful with purchases on social networks

During Black Friday, many scammers take the chance to create fake profiles and pages to pretend to be well-known brands, offering products that, in fact, don’t even exist. Ads on social media may seem tempting, but it’s important to be aware.

If you find something interesting, always look for the product on the brand’s official website or in trusted stores. Remember that social networks offer little consumer protection, making it difficult to get your money back in case of problems. Choose established stores that guarantee security and a clear refund policy.

6. Choose secure payment methods

Whenever possible, pay by credit card or platforms like PayPal, which offer extra fraud protection. This is because in the event of problems, you can dispute the transaction and have a greater chance of recovering your money.

Avoid methods such as bank transfers, payments via Pix to personal accounts or gift cards, which do not offer refund guarantees. Also, never share gift card numbers with anyone. If you choose to pay by bank slip or pix, for example, always check the name on the document to ensure it is not going to a personal account.

7. Avoid providing unnecessary information

When shopping online, only share the information that is required to complete the order. Trustworthy sites do not require excessive data such as personal documents unless they are essential for delivery.

Consider not creating accounts at stores where you don’t plan to shop regularly. If possible, opt for logins with secure accounts, such as Google or Apple, to avoid exposing your information unnecessarily.

8. Be wary of offers with extreme urgency

Messages that pressure you to act quickly are warning signs. Scammers often use phrases like “last units available” or “offer valid for 1 hour only” to create a sense of urgency and induce impulsive decisions.

Always check the legitimacy of the offer before making a purchase, even if it seems too good to miss. Legitimate offers can usually be found on the store’s official website as well.

9. Be careful with products most targeted by scammers

Although Black Friday offers discounts on different types of products and services, some are more targeted by scammers during this period. In general, the types of items that need to be most careful are household appliances, cell phones and drinks in general.

Last year here in Brazil, for example, the items that received the most fraudulent actions were the PlayStation 5 and the iPhones 14 and 13. As they are higher priced products, many people wait for discounts on them, so keep your eyes open.

10. Never reuse passwords

Even taking all precautions, unfortunately there is no guarantee that your accounts will always be safe, so you also need to think about ways to reduce the risk if something happens. Reusing the same password across multiple accounts is a common and dangerous mistake in this case, because if one account is compromised, scammers can access others using the same credentials.

Create unique and secure passwords for each account, using easy-to-remember combinations, such as three random words. Consider using password managers to keep your information organized and secure.