UPDATE: Shoppers are urgently warned as Black Friday approaches, with fraudsters targeting consumers for as much as £700 through deceptive parcel scams. Retail experts are advising immediate vigilance, as the shopping frenzy opens the door to increased criminal activity.
Experts from Sprive, an app dedicated to helping users earn cash rewards, confirm that this period is a prime time for fraud. Jinesh Vohra, CEO of Sprive, cautioned, “Black Friday marks the start of a busy period for fraudsters.” Last year, Action Fraud reported staggering losses of £11.5 million due to online scams between November and January, with each victim losing an average of £695.
Scammers are employing cunning tactics, including counterfeit delivery messages that claim issues with parcels. These messages often contain links designed to harvest personal and banking details from unsuspecting victims. Additionally, fraudsters are creating fake retail sites that mimic well-known brands, leading shoppers to believe they are making legitimate purchases.
“Always double-check the website address and look out for spelling errors or unusual logos,” Vohra advised. He emphasized that if you click through from an advertisement or social media post, it’s safer to navigate directly to the retailer’s official site.
The urgency of the situation is compounded by warnings from Stuart Morris, Chief Technology and Product Officer at SmartSearch. He noted that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become “peak fraud season.” Morris stated, “For cybercriminals, this period offers the perfect storm: millions of consumers rushing to grab deals and businesses scrambling to process unprecedented volumes of transactions.”
In 2022, British shoppers spent over £9 billion during this shopping event, with transactions peaking at 400 per second. For criminals, this surge in activity equates to open season for scams.
The trend is alarming. Data from Auction Fraud indicates that shoppers lost more than £11.5 million to online scams between November 2023 and January 2024, up from £10.6 million the previous year. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 80,000 individuals fell victim to purchase scams, while the average loss for victims of investment scams has skyrocketed to £15,000.
Morris further warned that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. “This isn’t crude hacking but sophisticated social engineering,” he explained. Scams involving fake delivery texts and cloned websites are designed to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information or paying for goods that never arrive.
While banks are effective in preventing unauthorized fraud, the greatest vulnerability arises with Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where customers are tricked into transferring money themselves. In these cases, over a third of victims lose their funds permanently.
As Black Friday approaches, it’s crucial for shoppers to remain alert and informed. The potential for significant financial loss is imminent, and vigilance is essential to protect oneself against these predatory schemes. Stay informed, verify communications, and prioritize safety while navigating this busy shopping season.
