Black Friday Scams Exposed: Insights from GASA’s Jorij Abraham On What Shoppers Can Expect and Safety Tips

Black Friday brings millions of shoppers online and to physical stores in search of the best deals of the year.  Unfortunately, the shopping frenzy is also a magnet for cybercriminals and scammers eager to exploit the surge in consumer activity.

From fake deals to phishing emails, the scammers' tactics have evolved, growing more sophisticated and harder to detect. We spoke with Jorij Abraham, Director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), to help shed light on how scammers operate during Black Friday and share insights on how you can stay safe.

Why is Black Friday a Prime Target for Scammers, and Have Scam Tactics Changed in Recent Years?

Scammers exploit any major event, holiday, or crisis to trick unsuspecting victims, and Black Friday is no exception. According to Abraham:

"We see scammers taking advantage of celebrations like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and of course, Black Friday. Their tactics have become more professional, with discounts designed to appear believable. Instead of offering products at 50% below the average online price, they now give only slight discounts, making their scams less obvious."

Abraham also noted that the rise of AI has amplified the problem. Scammers now use AI to craft flawless messages and even create entirely fake products. This eliminates traditional red flags such as spelling or grammar errors, making it even harder for consumers to spot a scam.

Who is Most Vulnerable During Black Friday?

Scammers are becoming highly targeted in their approach, designing schemes for specific demographics. However, everyone is a target, whether it’s children tricked into revealing their parents’ credit card details on online gaming platforms, students looking for great discounts, investors or senior citizens.

“During Black Friday, we see a massive surge of scams on social media offering “great” holiday presents, luring shoppers,” Abraham said.

Black Friday Scams to Watch For in 2024

This year, scammers are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to create entirely fictional products that appear both novel and enticing, Abraham noted.

These AI-generated items are designed to tap into viral trends, capturing the attention of shoppers who are drawn to unique and quirky offerings. He cited previous scam examples in this category. The now-infamous "Kitten Flowers" scam, where scammers used AI to create realistic flowers that supposedly resembled adorable cat faces, and the “Darth Vader Beds" involved fraudsters listing AI-generated images to sell beds inspired by the iconic Star Wars character.

“Scammers can now create unique products that are really inspiring”, Abraham said. “Unfortunately,  they are never delivered.”

The Role of Social Media and Influencers

Scammers increasingly use social media ads and influencer endorsements to amplify their reach. While platforms are working to combat fraudulent activity, more oversight is needed.

Abraham emphasizes the need for stricter verification processes for advertisers, saying:

"Less anonymity for advertisers could help protect consumers. Advertisers should be verified at both a company and personal level, but it’s still far too easy for scammers to create fake companies or borrow identities to evade detection."

How to Identify and Avoid Scams

Spotting scams is becoming more challenging as scammers refine their tactics. Abraham advises:

1. Take your time: Don’t rush into deals that seem urgent.
2. Verify with others: Discuss the offer with friends or family before making a purchase.
3. Choose secure payment methods: Opt for payment platforms like PayPal or credit cards, which offer chargeback protection.

Additionally, offering to help less tech-savvy family members review deals can go a long way in preventing scams. “If we all help each other, we can turn the tide on scams,” Abraham concluded.

Bitdefender’s Role in Combating Global Scams

As a proud member of GASA, Bitdefender plays a key role in the global fight against scams, providing individuals and businesses with the tools they need to stay secure. With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, Bitdefender offers advanced protection solutions that block fraudulent activity before it can cause harm.

Here’s how Bitdefender is helping protect users against scams:

• Web Protection: Ensures secure browsing and prevents users from landing on fraudulent websites.
• Email Protection: Guards against phishing attempts targeting your inbox.
• Scam Alert: Monitors and blocks fraudulent SMS, chat messages, and notifications on mobile devices in real time.
• Bitdefender Scamio: An AI-powered scam detection chatbot available for free on web browsers, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Discord. Scamio uses cutting-edge algorithms and machine learning to identify scams.

Have a chat with Scamio, here.

• Scam Copilot, a revolutionary tool designed to help users navigate the complex landscape of online fraud with the help of a personal scam advisor chatbot, scam wave alerts and remote access scam protection.

Scam Copilot is included in the following Bitdefender product plans (both individual and family versions): Bitdefender Premium Security, Bitdefender Ultimate Security, Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus and Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security

 By following practical safety tips and leveraging robust cybersecurity solutions you can focus on the excitement of the season without falling victim to cybercrime.

Stay safe, shop smart, and help turn the tide against scams this Black Friday!