As we head into the biggest shopping season of the year, ads are popping up everywhere, promising irresistible Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. But how can you be sure you’re scoring a true bargain and not getting caught in a scam?  

It's not just eager shoppers who jump on the Black Friday buzz — cyber criminals do too, blending their scams into the wave of online sales.

With the rise of AI, scammers can now produce highly convincing fake sites and content to trick unsuspecting buyers into handing over financial details.

These fraudsters offer ‘amazing’ deals, fake reviews, and the illusion of rock-bottom prices on popular items, hoping to lure you in. 

But don’t worry! Citizens Advice North Herts CEO Rosie Waters has five top tips to keep you safe and savvy during this shopping season:   

1. Don’t be rushed. Scammers use pressure tactics like ‘limited offers’ to push you to buy on impulse. Take your time to decide.  

2. Know who you’re buying from. If it’s a new company, check reviews and feedback from previous customers. If anything feels off, trust your gut and don’t proceed. 

3. Avoid suspicious links. Some scammers will send realistic-looking links to fake websites. Type in the retailer's web address directly to be safe. 

4. Keep one-time codes private.  When shopping online, only you should know the one-time codes sent to confirm purchases. Never share these with anyone. 

5. Steer clear of bank transfers. Paying by credit card for single items costing £100 and over gives you legal protection if the goods do not arrive, are faulty, or do not match the description.

Paying by credit or debit card for orders costing less than £100 also gives you protection using your card provider’s voluntary ‘Chargeback’ scheme. 

If you spot something suspicious online, call the Citizens Advice Consumer line on 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer for more help. 

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, and impartial advice. Reach the Herts Citizens Adviceline on 0800 144 88 48, visit northhertscab.org.uk or stevenagecab.org.uk to see how we can help.  

Stay safe and happy shopping!