Black Friday Bliss or Scam? Kaspersky’s Guide for Smart Shoppers
It’s that time of year when discount hunters arm themselves with wish‑lists, coffee, and a surge of trust‑me‑this‑and‑you‑won‑t‑get‑scammed mentality. Kaspersky’s latest survey of 2,000 UK consumers shows that 55% of shoppers lean on voucher codes to snag the best bargains—and that’s a recipe for trouble if you’re not careful.
Why Those ‘Magic’ Coupons Might Be Deadly
Cyber‑villains have gotten clever. They spin up what look like legit brand vouchers, complete with slick logos and hauntingly accurate copy. All they need is a few clicks of the “redeem” button and a freebie of your personal data. Once they’ve got it, they can sell it or launch phishing campaigns. Thanks to AI‑driven design tools, these fake coupons are almost indistinguishable from the real ones—especially when you’re rushing to crush a midnight sale.
Newsletter Furries: 26% of Shoppers Fall for the Eagles
Two‑and‑a‑quarter in ten email‑subscribers will inadvertently dive into a scam email promising a chance to win a marketplace gift card. The “quick redemption” process triggers a PayPal verification, but the real trick is a weekly automatic subscription that silently drains your account. If you decline the PayPal step, the scammer simply redirects you to other questionable mail.
Key Tips to Keep Your Cart Safe
- Look for spelling mistakes. Even the most polished brands forget a typo—if it has “discount” spelled wrong, it’s a red flag.
- Double‑check URLs. Scammers always create slightly altered domains to bait clicks—say
hellogroupon.cominstead ofhoolgroupon.com. - Trust your gut. If a deal feels too good, it’ll probably blow up in your face.
- Enable two‑factor authentication. A second layer of protection is your best friend during the high‑speed chase.
- Check the vendor’s official site. Vouchers should always come from the brand’s own domain, not a third‑party reseller.
Remember
“If a deal is too good to be true, that’s exactly why you’d want to read the fine print,” says Kaspersky’s David Emm. Fun fact: when it comes to Black Friday, your inbox could turn into a revolving door of offers and traps. Keep those eyes sharp, flag those oddities, and, most importantly, keep your money in a place safe from the weekend’s wildest scams.
Happy hunting—and may your cart be full, but your phishing risk stay low!
