As Black Friday approaches on November 28, UK shoppers are being warned about the increasing risk of sophisticated scams designed to drain bank accounts. Financial expert Vicky Parry, Editor at MoneyMagpie, has highlighted the growing threats facing consumers during this extended sales period.
Smart Shopping Strategies
Black Friday has evolved from a single day event to a month-long sales extravaganza, creating more opportunities for both genuine bargains and deceptive practices. Parry emphasises that retailers often employ psychological tactics to create false urgency, such as countdown timers and 'today only' claims that may not reflect reality.
One common tactic involves retailers artificially inflating prices in the weeks before Black Friday to make discounts appear more substantial than they actually are. Using free price checker tools like CamelCamelCamel can reveal a product's true price history, helping shoppers distinguish between genuine deals and marketing tricks.
Financial Protection Measures
When making purchases, using a credit card provides crucial protection for items costing over £100. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, card providers become jointly liable with retailers, offering refunds if products are faulty, not as described, or if the company goes bust.
Parry also recommends applying the 24-hour rule before making significant purchases. 'With Black Friday deals running throughout November, there's rarely need to panic-buy,' she advises. Resisting pressure-selling tactics helps prevent both overspending and falling for limited-time scam offers.
Identifying and Avoiding Scams
Spotting fraudulent websites has become increasingly challenging. Parry warns shoppers to be particularly cautious of social media advertisements that lead to replica websites with slightly altered URLs. Instead of clicking directly on social media ads, search for the company separately to find their legitimate website.
Other red flags include websites that lack clear contact information, sell only a few products, or have no customer reviews. These are often temporary scam shops designed to quickly harvest payment details before disappearing.
Shoppers can enhance their protection by signing up for retailer newsletters in advance, as emails from trusted sources are less likely to be fraudulent. Additionally, stacking discounts with cashback sites like TopCashback, Quidco, and Swagbucks can increase genuine savings while providing an extra layer of verification.
If you suspect you've been scammed or received unsatisfactory goods, remember that your consumer rights remain intact even for sale items. You have 14 days to return most online purchases under distance selling regulations. Always contact the retailer first, then your card provider if resolution isn't achieved.
