A significant weekend for shopping is approaching, as Black Friday 2025 starts tomorrow, on November 28. This annual event is renowned for offering substantial discounts on various products like technology, fashion, and household appliances, presenting a great opportunity for consumers to grab deals and save money. However, it also marks a high-risk period for fraudulent activities.

Black Friday tends to attract cybercriminals who exploit the excitement surrounding the event, employing various deceptive tactics to target unsuspecting shoppers. To combat this, UK network O2 recently issued a cautionary alert about the increasing incidents of online attacks, followed by a similar warning from Amazon.

In an email addressed to its users, Amazon emphasized the importance of recognizing impersonation scams during the upcoming busy shopping season. The company highlighted the threat posed by scammers who pose as trusted entities to extract sensitive information such as personal data, financial details, or Amazon account credentials.

According to Amazon, cybercriminals employ a range of strategies during Black Friday to deceive consumers. These tactics include sending fake delivery notifications, urging users to update their shopping accounts, or creating fictitious issues that require immediate resolution.

Individuals who fall victim to these schemes may inadvertently disclose confidential information, enabling scammers to perpetrate financial fraud or gain unauthorized access to accounts.

Amazon pointed out that prevalent scams in November usually involve deceptive messages related to deliveries or account discrepancies, misleading social media posts from unauthorized sources promoting unrealistic deals, and requests for passwords or payment information through unofficial channels.

Another common ploy is sending suspicious links that prompt customers to verify their account credentials on counterfeit or phishing websites. Amazon reiterated that it never requests customers to confirm their account details via email.

To navigate the upcoming shopping spree safely, Amazon shared five essential guidelines for consumers:

– Utilize the Amazon mobile app or website for all shopping activities, including customer service, account modifications, order tracking, and refunds.
– Be cautious as Amazon will never ask for payments or payment details over the phone.
– Consider enabling 2-step verification for added security on your online accounts.
– Enhance security by using a passkey for signing in.
– Stay vigilant against scammers creating a false sense of urgency to manipulate you into taking immediate action.

For those looking to capitalize on Black Friday discounts, it is crucial to remain vigilant and exclusively shop on authorized platforms like Amazon.co.uk. Additionally, exercise caution with unexpected text or email messages and avoid clicking on any suspicious links promising deals.