Google has rolled out a significant update, and individuals planning to shop online this month should take heed. With November marking the start of Black Friday deals from major retailers worldwide, consumers can expect tempting offers, but they should also be wary of potential scams targeting unsuspecting shoppers.
According to Google’s latest fraud and scams advisory, cybercriminals tend to escalate their fraudulent activities during holiday and peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These scammers exploit the high consumer demand and urgency associated with these events to deceive shoppers with fake offers, leading to financial theft and data breaches.
To combat these threats, Google warns shoppers to be vigilant for suspicious deals or alerts that seem too good to be true. Scammers utilize various sophisticated tactics, such as creating fake online storefronts, impersonating renowned brands, running deceptive ad campaigns, and promoting misleading discounts on social media platforms.
During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, individuals are also at risk of falling victim to smishing or phishing campaigns, where criminals attempt to trick people into disclosing sensitive information by posing as legitimate sources. Common tactics include fake parcel delivery notifications or prize-winning emails, designed to lure recipients into sharing personal data or paying fake redelivery fees.
Google is actively implementing new technology to block fake emails and unauthorized websites, offering additional protections for users, including enhanced defense mechanisms for Google Pixel devices and Safe Browsing features in Chrome. Despite these efforts, staying alert and cautious remain crucial during the shopping season to avoid falling prey to online scams.