Warning over Black Friday scams with UK households told to 'inform bank' - Birmingham Live

As Black Friday approaches on November 27, UK households have been urged to stay vigilant against a surge in scams targeting shoppers. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued warnings advising consumers to be cautious and to immediately halt any purchase that looks suspicious. Cyber criminals often take advantage of this busy shopping period by using trusted brand names and popular products to trick people into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive personal and financial details. Experts have highlighted how fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially with the help of new technologies. Adrian Ludwig from Tools for Humanity explained that AI now enables scammers to create fake small businesses in a matter of minutes, complete with convincing faces, backgrounds, and well-designed online shops. Nathaniel Jones of Darktrace also pointed out that scammers manipulate brand names to confuse buyers, turning legitimate retailers like John Lewis into mimics such as 'J0hn Lewis' by swapping letters for numbers. Adding to the confusion, a report by Which? revealed that about four in ten Black Friday deals are actually cheaper at other times during the year. Interestingly, 11% of the products examined were found to have been sold at lower prices in the six months leading up to Black Friday. This suggests that shoppers should be extra careful before rushing into what might appear as irresistible bargains, especially for big-ticket items like TVs or coffee machines. The consumer watchdog emphasized the importance of verifying deals and being wary of impulse buying. They also stressed the need to report any phishing emails or fraudulent websites encountered during this period. Action Fraud is the UK’s official centre for reporting fraud and cybercrime, and it's crucial for shoppers to inform them if they suspect they've fallen victim to scams. In cases where personal or payment information has been shared and suspicious activities appear on bank statements, it’s vital to inform your bank straight away. Banks might be able to cancel the affected card and monitor unusual transactions to prevent further losses. Overall, staying alert, double-checking deal authenticity, and promptly reporting suspicious activity are key to avoiding becoming a victim during this busy shopping season.