Lorraine Williamson
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, the Spanish National Police are urging shoppers to stay vigilant against potential fraud and scams.
With the rise of online shopping and the allure of irresistible deals, the Policia Nacional have compiled a ten-point guide to ensure that your Black Friday doesn’t turn into a “Bad Friday” for your finances.
Beware of email and social media promotions
Exercise caution with promotions received via email or social media. Some may contain links redirecting to fraudulent websites aiming to steal your personal and financial information. Avoid clicking on such links and instead, access any offers directly through your web browser.
Watch out for tempting deals on popular items
Be wary of popular items with excessive discounts. Scammers often create fake e-commerce sites that vanish after collecting funds from unsuspecting victims.
Avoid typosquatting
Guard against typosquatting – entering a malicious webpage with an address similar, but not identical, to the genuine site. Double-check the URL to ensure accurate spelling.
Beware of QRishing
Stay alert to QRishing, where scammers manipulate QR codes to trick users into downloading malicious software. This could compromise your device and lead you to fraudulent websites.
Be skeptical of delivery messages
During these peak delivery days, be cautious of SMS or email notifications from alleged courier companies. Refrain from clicking on links, as they may lead to phishing attempts.
Also read: Be aware of fraudulent DHL scam
Inspect online store design and quality
Pay attention to the design of online stores. Poor-quality images, badly translated text, or spelling mistakes, along with the absence of essential details like CIF and fiscal address, should raise red flags.
Check for security indicators
Ensure that discounts apply to the price, not the quality. The product should maintain the same quality and consumer rights.
Look for secure browsing indicators
Check for the padlock icon and “https” in the URL. These indicate a secure connection, providing confidence in the website’s legitimacy.
Exercise caution with personal information requests
If a website appears suspicious and asks solely for your credit card or bank details, be skeptical. Legitimate sites generally request a range of information for secure transactions.
Respond promptly to fraud incidents
If you fall victim to a scam, take immediate action. Change passwords, cancel credit or debit cards, contact your bank, and report the incident to the Spanish National Police.
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