Stay alert!

SA - Black Friday, 24 November, is notorious for its shopping deals. It is absolutely imperative to stay alert and minimise the risk of falling prey to Black Friday scams. Refrain from getting caught up in the emotional hype, large crowds, and chaotic shopping environments. Do not let your emotions and tunnel vision fuelled by greed or lack of information make you a target for scammers. When you spot a good deal, take a moment to investigate and reach out to the retailers directly.
Do not panic and overreact to unknown emails, SMSs, or any other form of communication. Instead, take a deep breath, exercise caution, research the information carefully, and then respond accordingly. Staying proactive and vigilant is the key to avoiding Black Friday scams.

Precautionary measures:

• Stick to well-known and trusted retailers, whether online or in-store.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially from unfamiliar websites or sellers.
• Make sure that the websites you visit have a secure connection (look for “https://” in the URL) and a padlock icon in the address bar.
• Beware of phishing emails and messages.
• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
• Legitimate retailers will not ask for sensitive information through email or text.
• When making online purchases, use credit cards or secure payment methods rather than debit cards.
• Credit cards often offer more consumer protection, and you can dispute unauthorised charges.
• Make sure you update your devices.
• This helps protect you from vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit.
• Before making a purchase, read reviews and ratings from other customers. This can provide insights into the reliability of the product and the seller.
• Regularly review your bank and credit card statements to identify unauthorised or suspicious transactions.
• Report discrepancies to your financial institution immediately.
• Stay informed about common scams and frauds.
• Awareness is a powerful tool in protecting yourself from potential threats.

Mike Bolhuis, Specialised Security Services, press release extracts, November 2023