Parents warned about Black Friday scam ahead of huge shopping day

Parents trying to get a cut price ahead of Christmas on Black Friday are being urged to be on their guard towards faux offers – as the quantity misplaced to buy scams rose to £41m within the first half of this 12 months.

Greater than 27 per cent of mother and father have been caught out by scams the place items or providers paid for don’t arrive, in keeping with analysis from UK finance.

Criminals can promote excessive worth tech comparable to telephones at low costs to draw consumers, persuading them to make financial institution transfers, however then disappearing as soon as the cost is made.

Fraudsters usually use faux web sites or commercials on social media, and even public sale web sites.

Solely 1 / 4 of mother and father surveyed as half of the Take 5 To Cease Fraud marketing campaign stated they at all times researched sellers earlier than they purchase.

UK Finance’s latest fraud report discovered that buy scams are the commonest variety of fraud, accounting for two-thirds of instances.

The amount of buy scam instances has grown by 43 per cent, from 53,907 within the first half of 2022, to 76,946 within the first half of 2023 – amounting to £40.9 million.

Earlier this week, Martin Lewis issued a warning to Christmas customers this Black Friday who threat spending a whole bunch of kilos unnecessarily. The Cash Saving Skilled stated customers might be shopping for a “dud” as a result of they’ve been on sale for cheaper at varied factors this 12 months.

Ben Donaldson, managing director of financial crime at UK Finance, stated: “Increasingly criminals are utilizing faux adverts and web sites to focus on their victims.

“And significantly presently of 12 months, too many mother and father who’re making an attempt to carry pleasure to their youngsters are falling sufferer to those ruthless crimes.

“The implications transcend monetary, as a result of the deception concerned may cause actual emotional and psychological harm. So, this Black Friday, whenever you’re looking for items in your youngsters and family members, take additional care on-line. Examine sellers totally earlier than shopping for and be sure you observe the Take 5 to Cease Fraud recommendation – cease, problem, defend.”