Avoid being scammed on Black Friday by following these 3 tips.

While Black Friday is an excellent opportunity to purchase holiday presents at a discount, it is also the day with the highest chance of falling prey to an online scam, as per the director of Norton's Scam Research Labs.

Each year, approximately 50% of online consumers fall victim to fraudulent schemes that aim to steal money or data, according to Norton's Leyla Bilge, who shared this information with Planet Chronicle Digital. Out of these incidents, 30% occur on Black Friday, 16% take place on Christmas Day, 14% happen on Christmas Eve, and 11% take place on Cyber Monday.

During the holiday season, cybersecurity company's research lab has identified the most common online scams, and Bilge shared tips on how to evade each one.

1. E-shop scams

Bilge said "hundreds" of fake shops pop up online each year.

"Creating a fake e-shop that looks authentic is very easy. The appearance is impressive and it can be difficult to distinguish it from a real one. Even experienced individuals can struggle to determine if something is genuine or not. This is because scams are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, especially with the use of AI. As a result, it is important to exercise caution when encountering such situations."

With the use of common sense, new tools, and a few tactics, it is possible to detect them.

One indication that an online retailer may be fraudulent is if their deals seem "too good to be true."

"Bilge stated that if something is sold for $100, you won't get it for $10. Therefore, you won't always receive a 90% decrease discount, but typically, you will find such discounts on websites."

Payment pages on fake sites can sometimes provide useful clues, as Bilge often said.

"Bilge stated that on the first page, it is typically mentioned that various payment options such as PayPal, Google, Google Pay, Amazon, Apple Pay, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted. However, when checking out, the payment options may change, and customers may be instructed to pay with a gift card or through PayPal."

Be cautious if you notice inconsistencies between the first and last pages.

Examining a website's URL can also be helpful, Bilge suggested.

"Suppose the [counterfeit e-store] could be an Amazon replica," she stated. "It's advisable to verify if the website's name matches the brand, as it could be Amazon.com, Amazonbeautifulverycool.com, or something similar."

Before making a purchase, it's important to pay attention and research the seller to avoid potential risks to your wallet and personal information, especially if you're unfamiliar with the store.

"Bilge advised caution and suggested checking with third-party organizations for reviews about their organizations. He mentioned that they have an AI-powered chatbot, Norton Genie, that users can easily cross-check."

Reddit's scam subreddit, Reddit.com/r/scams, has nearly 1 million subscribers, many of whom can provide quick answers to queries about suspicious websites through their own experience and technical expertise.

A Google search can reveal fake e-shops, and the Better Business Bureau has a list of accredited and non-accredited businesses that can be checked.

To ensure a secure connection, look for the lock icon in the browser address bar or check if the website's URL starts with "https" instead of "http."

To verify the legitimacy of a company, you can check its website for a physical address and phone number. If you're unsure, you can conduct a Google Maps search to see if the business appears.

2. "Smishing" package delivery scams

During the holiday season, many people receive more packages due to gift purchases from loved ones.

Fraudsters can use fake text messages or emails from UPS, the U.S. Postal Service, or Amazon to collect personal information, making individuals more vulnerable to "smishing" scams.

"Bilge stated that they may inform you that there is an issue with your payment or demand an extra payment to steal your money. Alternatively, they could attempt to compromise personal information to launch a different type of attack in the future."

An effective way to detect scams is by examining the phone number or email address from which the communication is received.

"Bilge stated that it is suspicious to receive an email with random characters and [email protected], as it is unlikely to be from Amazon or UPS."

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will not send customers or text messages without a request from the customer with their tracking number. Even if emails are requested, they will never contain a link.

The Postal Inspection Service advised against clicking on a link in a package tracking request that was not initiated directly from USPS.

3. Charity scams

Thieves often pose as well-known charities or create fake ones to trick unsuspecting donors into giving away their money.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advises that one way to identify a fraudulent charity is through their communication style. While charities are not required to adhere to the national Do Not Call list, they must respect your request to cease contact, as stated on the FCC's website.

To ensure the legitimacy of charities before donating, the agency recommends verifying phone numbers and URLs. Tools such as Norton Genie, Google, and Reddit.com/r/scams can assist in this process.

The FBI's Philadelphia office advised consumers to make donations through check or credit card, stating that these methods are safer.

It's likely a scam if an organization requests a donation through cash, gift card, virtual currency, or wire transfer, according to the agency.

Be cautious of charities that claim to aid victims of recent high-profile disasters and verify the charity's name to avoid donating to a "copycat organization."