Scam and Fraud Awareness

Shop Safely & Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Your Holidays.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online shopping fraud was the second most common type of fraud last year with over 380,000 reports resulting in $432 million in consumer losses. The huge shopping frenzy surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday provides scammers and thieves with a chance to capitalize on holiday shoppers looking for the best deals. Fake discounts, phishing links, and scam stores rise sharply during this season, making it important to shop with caution.

Here are some common Black Friday scams and how to spot them before it’s too late:

Fake Online Stores
Some scammers create real-looking websites that mimic major brands, often using logos and designs copied directly from legitimate retailers. The red flags, however, are almost always hidden in the URL, which contain subtle typos, extra dashes, alternate extensions, or misspellings.

For example, scammers may use “rn” instead of “m” in a domain name (say, “Walrnart” instead of “Walmart”) to trick you into thinking that you are in the right place. Or the company name may be the same, but the domain extension (.net, .org, .com) might be different.

How to avoid it: Always verify that you are on the correct website. Don’t click links from social media or email ads. Type the official URL yourself directly into your browser or use a retailer’s official mobile app.

Urgent Alerts & Emails
Other scams exploit the pressure cooker environment of Black Friday and other sales events. You’ll receive an email or text message claiming there’s a problem with a recent order, a delivery delay, or an issue with account verification. These messages often include variations of “urgent” or “hurry” to make you click a malicious link without thinking.

How to avoid it: Treat unsolicited emails with extreme skepticism. Never click an embedded link in an urgent message. Instead, open a new browser tab or window and navigate the retailer’s or courier’s website. Log in securely to check your order status or account alerts directly. Legitimate companies rarely, if ever, ask you to verify sensitive account information through an urgent link.

Social Media Discount Traps
Fake ads appear on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms offering HUGE discounts on popular products. A new iPad for only $12? A pair of genuine UGG boots for just $9? These deals sound insane because that’s exactly what they are. And yet, thousands of people happily send their money and credit card information to scammers that are advertising these laughable prices on Black Friday. 

How to avoid it: Don’t believe any advertised price that is ridiculously low and check the brand’s official website to see if they’ve posted the offer. Black Friday deals tend to fall within the 20-30% off range or an offer of free shipping.

Gift Card Scams
In the lead up to holidays, you might start finding cheap gift cards being sold at online marketplaces. The gift cards are linked to big-name retailers and are offered for a fraction of their real value. These cards are usually stolen or disabled and you will have spent your hard-earned money for a card that’s not worth the plastic it’s made from. 

How to avoid it: Don’t buy any gift cards that are retailing at a heavily marked-down price and only buy gift cards from verified platforms or official retail stores.

Embrace the Power of NO

Saying “No” can be uncomfortable, especially when faced with someone who is charming, persuasive, and promising you everything you’ve ever wanted. Saying “No” doesn’t just feel like rejecting a request, it feels like rejecting a person. Scammers know this and will use every trick they can to make saying “No” feel impossible.

However, it is essential to remember that it is perfectly acceptable to reject, refuse, or ignore any suspicious requests. At the end of the day, saying “No” isn’t about being harsh, it’s about being safe. It’s about honoring your worth, your time, and your future. 

“No” Is a Full Sentence
Remember, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for protecting yourself. “No” is a complete sentence. 

• You don’t have to justify why you won’t send money.
• You don’t have to explain why you won’t share more personal information.
• You don’t have to feel guilty for questioning someone’s story.

A well intentioned person who truly cares about you will respect your boundaries. A scammer won’t.

• Set clear boundaries early.
  If you get a suspicious phone call or email, let them know you don’t send money, you don’t share sensitive details, and you move slowly when building trust.
• Keep it short and simple.
  If someone asks for money or crypto, you can say:

• • “No, I’m not comfortable with that.”
  • “No, I don’t send money online.”
  • Just say “No” and hang up.

You don’t need a long explanation, because explanations invite arguments.

So the next time someone pressures you online, whether it’s for love, money, or for crypto, pause, breathe, and remember: “No” is your power word. Use it. 

• Equifax:  800-525-6285 
• Experian:  888-397-3742
• TransUnion:  800-680-7289