How to Spot a Scam During Black Friday in South Africa | And How to Avoid Them

Black FridayandCyber Mondayhave become massive shopping events worldwide. The anticipation of massive discounts, limited-time deals, and once-in-a-lifetime offers can leave shoppers eager to pounce on what seems like the perfect deal. However, as these events grow in popularity, so too do the risks of falling for scams. In 2023, Black November (the entire month of November leading up to Black Friday) has become a month-long affair filled with online and in-store shopping, making it even more essential for South African consumers to stay vigilant.

Scammers are aware of the heightened activity and will do everything they can to exploit the excitement, offering fake deals, phishing attempts, andfraudulentwebsites. With a bit of awareness and some careful steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.

Let’s dive into how you can spot and avoid scams during November.

1. Beware of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals

It’s exciting to see deep discounts on products, but when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Scammers love to prey on consumers’ emotions during high-pressure shopping events like Black Friday, whereimpulse buyingis at an all-time high.

For example, imagine a brand-new smartphone advertised at 90% off or an exclusive luxury item marked down by an unbelievable amount. These kinds of deals should raise red flags. Here’s why:

• Prices too low: Legitimate retailers may offer discounts, but massive price slashes are rare for popular or high-demand items.
• Unrealistic promises: Scam websites may advertise limited-stock deals on expensive items at such low prices that you feel compelled to act fast. Often, these items are never available or, in some cases, don’t even exist.

How to Avoid It:

• Do your research: Check the product’s normal price on well-known e-commerce platforms like Takealot, Makro, or local stores. If a deal is significantly lower than average, investigate further.
• Price comparison: Use price comparison websites or apps, which are popular in South Africa, to compare prices and ensure you’re not being taken advantage of.
• Look for reviews: Check independent reviews of the retailer or product. If the company is not well-known or has few or no online reviews, approach the deal with caution.

2. Suspiciously Looking Websites / Online Shopping

A surge in online shopping during November means that fraudulent websites are also on the rise. These fake e-commerce sites often look professional at first glance, but a closer inspection may reveal inconsistencies. Poor-quality images, strange domain names, and overly generic or incorrect contact information should immediately raise suspicion.

Scammers may create websites that look identical to major retailers, offering discounts on popular products. Once you enter your payment details, they either steal your information or fail to deliver any product at all.

How to Avoid It:

• Check the URL: Ensure the website uses a secure connection (look for “https://” and a padlock symbol next to the URL in your browser). A legitimate site will almost always have this. If the website has a suspicious or misspelled domain (e.g., “takealot-sale.com” instead of “takealot.com”), don’t enter any personal information.
• Look for a physical address and contact details: Most legitimate stores will have a physical address listed and a working customer service number or email. If you can’t find this information, or it seems vague, it could be a scam.
• Use trusted platforms: Stick to well-known e-commerce platforms and online retailers with a proven track record in South Africa. Platforms like Takealot, Makro, and Superbalist are safer bets, as they have customer protections in place.
• Check online banking profile: Make sure as online shoppers, to always use 2-factor authentication, this will ensure using your online banking and to confirm any purchase there first, and verify before you pay with your phone to access your online banking. 

3. Phishing Emails and SMS Scams

One of the most common scams around Black November is phishing, where scammers send fraudulent emails or SMS messages pretending to be from legitimate retailers or delivery services. These messages often look convincing, containing logos and brand names, and may offer special discounts or urgent notifications about your order status.

Phishing attempts usually ask you to click on a link or download an attachment that could lead to malware, or worse, prompt you to enter sensitive personal details (such as your banking information or password).

How to Avoid It:

• Don’t click on suspicious links: If you receive an email or SMS that seems urgent but you’re not expecting communication from that retailer, clicking on links is a bad idea. Instead, go directly to the store’s website by typing in the address yourself.
• Verify the sender: Check the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers often use email addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but contain small changes, such as extra characters or incorrect domains.
• Contact the company directly: If in doubt, contact the company’s customer service department using their verified contact details to confirm the legitimacy of any email or SMS.
• Don’t give out your account details to anyone over email or SMS.

4. Fake Social Media Ads and Influencer Endorsements

Social media is another place where scams thrive during Black November. You might see sponsored posts, ads, or influencer partnerships promoting products at discounted deals. While some of these may be legitimate, many are simply fraudsters trying to trick you into making a purchase.

Some cyber criminals may even use fake reviews or stolen influencer photos to create the appearance of legitimacy.They will even link to fake websites just to see if the interested buyer engages and the South African shoppers will have a sense of urgency with the convenience of online shopping and give their banking details. These ads often promote products that are either substandard or nonexistent, and once you’ve made a purchase, you may never receive your order.

How to Avoid It:

• Don’t trust everything you see: Just because a product is promoted by an influencer or advertised on Facebook or Instagram doesn’t mean it’s real. Research the company and read the fine print before making any black Friday deal purchases.
• Look for red flags: Watch for poorly designed ads or posts with grammar mistakes, which are common signs of a scam.
• Follow the influencers carefully: If an influencer is promoting a deal, ensure they have a verified account and check their past collaborations. A reputable influencer will often link directly to a trusted website.

5. Too Many Payment Methods – Especially Odd Ones

Online shopping has resulted in Black November, scammers often encourage you to pay using unconventional methods like gift cards, money transfer services (like MoneyPak or Bitcoin), or wire transfers, claiming that these methods will help secure a better deal. While these methods might seem convenient, they are not commonly used by reputable businesses and designed to steal.

Once you’ve paid with these untraceable methods, the cybercriminals have your money, and it can be nearly impossible to recover it.

How to Avoid It:

• Stick to secure payment options: Use trusted payment methods like credit cards or reliable platforms like digital wallets including apple pay, which offer buyer protection in case of fraud.
• Be cautious of gift cards: If a website is asking you to pay with gift cards or a money transfer service, it’s almost certainly a scam.
• Always ask questions: If you’re unsure about a payment method, don’t hesitate to ask the seller for more details. Legitimate retailers will be transparent about their accepted payment methods. try and confirm before making a purchase.

6. Unclear Return and Refund Policies

Another way fraudsters try to trap you is by making it difficult for you to return or get a refund on a product. They often claim that they have a “no returns” policy or that returns are only allowed within a very short time frame (sometimes just a few hours after the purchase).

If the retailer you’re buying from does not have a clear, easy-to-understand return policy, that should be a major red flag.

How to Avoid It:

• Read the terms and conditions: Before buying anything, carefully review the site’s return and refund policies. Legitimate stores will make this information easy to find.
• Check the store’s reputation: Research the retailer’s reputation with independent sources. If they have a history of poor customer service or complaints about products and returns, it’s best to shop elsewhere.
• Use credit cards with buyer protection: If you have issues with returns or refunds, a credit card company will often assist you in disputing the charge, offering an extra layer of security.

7. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Strong Passwords

With all the shopping going on, don’t forget to safeguard your online accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Fraudsters may target your personal accounts, especially if they’ve collected information through previous scams.

How to Avoid It:

• Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid using the same one for multiple sites, and make sure they are long and complex.
• Enable 2FA: Wherever possible, use two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, so even if a fraudster gets hold of your password, they won’t be able to log into your account without the second factor.

8. Good scams on the rise

According to the Southern African Prevention Service (SAFPS), the fraud impersonation has increased by 337% in 2021, and there is R54 billion in crypto and Ponzi schemes. And as online retail continues to grow, so do these numbers.

How to Avoid It:

• Avoid using public online purchases: When deals that seem too good to be true, that is often because they are. Check their website to recognise and avoid black Friday scams, especially when purchasing online.
• Black Friday online shopping boom: Before your purchase a “deal” it is increasingly common to trust what you are being told, but always double/triple check the website and the emails to make sure they are legit and do not have “typos” in them to replicate the original store.

9. Black Friday Voucher

A black Friday voucher is often a promotional around black Friday that has resulted in more clients purchasing as it can look like a “better deal”. Cyber fraudsters can use this technique in the shopping season to get customers to click on a malicious link and gain access to your sensitive information. 

How to Avoid It:

• Found a voucher ?: Avoid clicking on links, check their web address listed, and manage your devices to ensure you are clicking and using a legitimate voucher for the website and promotion.
• Efficient payment options: Double/triple check that whatever specific transaction is delinked any voucher from payment option. 

Conclusion: Stay Smart, Stay Safe, Avoid the Black Friday Scam

This time offers a treasure trove of discounts and online shopping deals, but it also opens the door for scams and fraud. The key to staying safe lies in being cautious and warning your friends and family, doing your research, and staying aware of the common red flags that indicate a scam on black Friday weekend. By following the tips outlined above, you can enjoy the excitement of the sales without falling victim to scams. Remember, it’s always better to take a few extra minutes to double-check a deal than to end up regretting a purchase that was never legitimate in the first place. Often created in Southern Africa is a shift as an opportunity for the broader shift in consumer and services online of fraud and scams, Staying vigilant is highly recommended to keep your private information private.

Happy shopping – and stay safe this Black November!