With just under 2 weeks to the official Black Friday date, many companies are now extending this date to include offers the weekend, a week, or even the full month. But what about the scams?
With the shear amount of Black Friday offers at this time, coupled with the run up to Christmas, this makes it more difficult to identify potential scams.
Recently you may have seen social media posts urging people to share to all their friends a supposed offer of “free flights”. We will see more notifications and receive more messages and emails. But remember if it sounds too good to be true – it most likely is!
If there is such an offer, always go directly to the official website to check.
Offers and scams
But not all scams use big prizes or offers to entice you to click on that link. Many will use urgency or vulnerability.
The Policia Nacional advise us of a scam going around now. This time, it is from the Agencia Tributaria (Tax Office) advising you of a tax return. It asks you to click on the link and they will reimburse your money. Perfect timing in the run up to Christmas to receive an unexpected windfall. Or is it? Unfortunately, the tax office does not work in that way. Do not click on the link.
Estaría genial que la Agencia Tributaria te "calificara" para reembolsarte dinero así por así y solo pinchando un enlace 😒
Y te lo merecerías más que nadie 🙄….
Pero sentimos decírtelo… #noesreal#NOPIQUES es #Phishing pic.twitter.com/3LPwOwVD4N
— Policía Nacional (@policia) November 11, 2022
Many scams will work on the fact that most people need extra money at the time of the year. Others, especially bank scams will give a deadline such as 24 hours to click on the link for your account to remain active.
Don´t be their mule
Get rich quick schemes are also something to be aware of.
This type of scam is worked the same way as the Nigerian Letters or The Tinder Swindler scam. The scammer tends to be a likeable, friendly person. They become part of your circle of friends, and at one point in the relationship, they offer a “no risk” chance to make some extra cash.
Furthermore, they promise easy money for a return on your investment. They will ask you to pay something in advance. They will ask for this money in cash and may pay your “return” through your bank account. Unwittingly, you will have become their mule. You will be helping them to launder money. And, as advised by the police, ignorance is not an excuse.
🟢Expectativa:
👉Te prometen dinero fácil💸
👉Te ingresan una cantidad💳
👉Y tú debes de facilitarles efectivo💰🔴Realidad:
❌Hacer de #mula es delito
❌Estarías ayudando a delincuentes a blanquear dinero pic.twitter.com/OwzXrlQDnZ— Policía Nacional (@policia) November 11, 2022
Stay safe, and always take a moment to think before you click the link.
Ask yourself is it too good to be true?
Easy money? Is it a genuine offer, of a scam?
