NEARLY a quarter of 18 to 34-year-olds have fallen for a Black Friday scam in the past five years, according to a Barclays.
Shoppers lose an average of £661 each after falling victim to such frauds, the bank found, with televisions, laptops and tablets, mobile phones and headphones commonly used to lure bargain-hunters.
Criminal tactics to catch shoppers out include posting fake adverts on social media offering cut-price deals on non-existent goods, and the “digital skimming” of sensitive information such as card data from online shoppers.
In a survey of 2000 people across the UK, Barclays found 24% of 18 to 34-year-olds had been caught out by such schemes. The bank’s data also shows that more than one in 10 (12%) shopping scams result in the loss of more than £2000.
Head of digital safety at Barclays, Ross Martin, urged consumers to be wary of scams ahead Black Friday, with outlets hoping to spark a spending bonanza with cut-price deals ahead of Christmas.
He said: “As thousands of items go on sale this Black Friday, it’s crucial that we are all aware of the risks and do not let our guards down, or rush into purchases.
“Using sophisticated techniques, criminals will be preparing to exploit our desperation for this year’s best bargains. Make sure that you do your research and carry out the proper safety checks to stay ahead of the scammers.”
Black Friday, a day of discount deals imported from the US, will fall on November 29 this year. As people gear up for the event, Barclays has issued guidelines to help shoppers avoid scams.
Consumers are being urged to avoid the mad rush for deals, to check reviews of items and to take their time before buying anything.
Shoppers are also advised to keep an eye on their bank balances for signs of fraudulent activity and to check that website addresses include the padlock symbol.
Further advice reads: “Scammers try to lure you in with cheap deals on in-demand items. If you have concerns about a website or an item, do not enter your payment details. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
More safety tips are available via barclays.co.uk/digisafe
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