South's shoppers urged to be vigilant after rise in online Black Friday scams
72% of online scams now originate from social media, says Barclays
Bargain hunters across the South are being urged to keep an eye out for Black Friday scams - after a rise in shoppers being targeted on social media.
Despite people losing seven hundred pounds to scams on average, 84% of us reckon we won't fall victim - and only half of us bother checking before we buy, according to Barclays.
Their Fraud and Scam Expert Kirsty Adams warns that "the value of the average purchase scam has risen to over £700".
Advice is now being issued to shoppers to help them spot the signs they could be about to fall victim to a potential scam.
1. Plan ahead and take your time
Kirsty said: "With “last-minute” deals up for grabs, it can be easy to feel pressure to make an urgent purchase then and there.
However, no bargain is worth the risk of being scammed.
Take the time to plan in advance, budget how much you can afford to spend and do your research on the legitimacy of the retailers and offers before parting with your hard-earned cash."
2. Go straight to the source
She continued: "Scammers are continuously getting better at impersonating well-known brands – via text, email and social media deals.
"Even if you receive what looks like legitimate marketing, be wary of clicking on the links you receive and instead go directly to the company’s official website.
3. Read the reviews
"If you’re buying from a new or unfamiliar retailer, check their online reviews before you head to the checkout.
"Shoppers will often flag bad experiences they’ve had with fraudulent sites, so doing your own research can stop you from making the same mistake."
4. Anyone can be a victim
Kirsty added: "No matter how scam-smart you think you are, all shoppers should do their research – check a seller is legitimate by reading reviews and avoid clicking on any links or ads, instead going direct to the brand’s website.”