With Black Friday just a few days away, the National Police has reinforced its warning message in view of the expected increase in online shopping and the parallel increase in fraud attempts.
According to cybercrime specialists, fraudsters have changed their modus operandi and now use more sophisticated tactics, such as messages that encourage you to call numbers controlled by themselves or links that redirect you to fraudulent websites.
In view of this scenario, the agents have issued a decalogue of recommendations so that users can shop safely during one of the most intense commercial campaigns of the year.
New Black Friday fraud techniques
Researchers explain that cybercriminals are exploiting phishing and smishing (emails or SMSs pretending to be from real companies) more frequently, but with an added nuance: the messages include fake phone numbers so that the victim is the one who contacts the scammer.
This increasingly widespread method facilitates the theft of personal and banking data through supposed verifications or incidents with an order.
At the same time, the Police reminds that criminals take advantage of the urgency messages typical of these dates, such as “last chance” or “discount valid for 48 hours”, to provoke impulsive decisions that lead to fraud.
Ten essential recommendations for safe shopping
To reduce risks, the National Police has issued a list of guidelines that should be taken into account before making any online purchase:
1. Be wary of unrealistic offers: exaggerated bargains are often a lure to steal money or data. Comparing prices helps to detect anomalies.
2. Buy from official websites or reliable stores: the address must begin with “https://” and match exactly with the legitimate domain.
3. Check the page for signs of fraud: poor design, pixelated photos or text with errors are usually evidence that it is a fake website.
4. Use protected payment methods: single-use or limited-balance virtual cards offer greater security than direct transfers.
5. Do not open suspicious links: if you receive a message about an offer, manually access the official website instead of clicking on the link received.
6. Don’t share sensitive information: no legitimate entity asks for passwords, PIN numbers or verification codes via messages or calls.
7. Beware of impersonations: attackers can impersonate companies, banks or even known contacts.
8. Avoid shopping using public Wi-Fi networks: if you can’t avoid it, use a VPN, but never enter bank details without a secure connection.
9. Keep your devices updated: an up-to-date operating system and a reliable antivirus significantly reduce vulnerabilities.
10. React quickly if you detect fraud: block your cards, contact your bank and file a report as soon as possible.
Beyond the recommendations, the agents of the Central Cybercrime Unit explain, through a one-minute micro podcast, how some of the most common scams work, starting with digital skimming (copying bank data) and phishing .
The episodes will be published every Friday and aim to provide simple and effective tips for consumers to identify any fraud attempts in time.
