Black Friday and Cyber Monday’s shopping sales don’t just attract bargain hunters; it also draws cybercriminals. From fake websites and phishing emails to bogus delivery texts, scams spike as criminals exploit the frenzy of online sales. 

Common Types of Black Friday Scams 

• Online Shopping Scams 
  • Fake retail websites are among the most common threats during major sales events. Scammers build convincing copies of popular brands or online stores, offering massive discounts to lure shoppers in.  

• Postage and Delivery Scams 
  • Delivery scams spike during the holiday shopping period. Scammers send fake “missed delivery” texts or emails that appear to come from well-known delivery services. The message urges you to click a link to pay a small redelivery fee or confirm your address, leading to a phishing site or malware download. 

• Gift card scams 
  • Scammers may sell fake or already-drained gift cards through third-party websites. In some cases, they’ll take your payment information and disappear entirely. 

• Social media scams 
  • From fake ads to direct messages, social media is a goldmine for scammers. Some promote counterfeit products or link to fraudulent sites 

How to Stay Safe While Shopping Online 

• Always type the website address directly into your browser rather than following links from ads or emails. 

• Don’t click on links in promotional emails or texts you weren’t expecting. 

• Credit cards and PayPal offer better consumer protection than direct transfers or gift cards. 

• Ensure your security software is up to date to block malicious links, fake websites, and phishing attempts in real time. 

• Be cautious of texts or emails claiming a missed delivery or asking for small “redelivery” fees. These often lead to fake sites designed to steal your payment details or install malware. 

• Use anti-scam software such as Trend Micro’s ScamCheck  to get complete protection against scams and spam. 

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed 

If you suspect you’ve been caught in a scam, acting quickly can reduce the damage and protect your information. 

• Stop all contact immediately. Don’t respond to follow-up messages or send additional payments. 

• Contact your bank or credit card provider. Report the transaction and ask if it can be reversed. 

• Change your passwords. Prioritise those linked to financial accounts and enable multi-factor authentication where possible. 

• Report the scam. Visit scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam or dia.govt.nz/Spam-Report-Spam to lodge a report and help authorities track emerging threats. 

• Monitor your accounts. Keep a close eye on bank statements and online profiles for any unusual activity.

Already a Trend Micro Customer?

Visit your Trend Micro Account  to see if Trend Micro ScamCheck is included in your subscription.