Lanarkshire shoppers warned over online scams as Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach

Lanarkshire Shoppers Warned About Online Scams Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, shoppers in Lanarkshire are being cautioned against online scams. Scots are reportedly losing nearly £2,000 a day to cybercriminals during this festive shopping season. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs consumeradvice.scot, is advising shoppers to remain vigilant as they hunt for Christmas bargains. From April to November this year, 934 Scots sought help from the charity after falling victim to online fraud, collectively losing over £495,111 – averaging a loss of £530 per person. In 2023, losses exceeded £617,367 among 1,550 people, bringing the total to £1.1 million. However, the actual figure may be higher due to unreported cases or those reported directly to the police.
Experts highlight that scammers are employing new tactics to target vulnerable Scots looking for discounts amidst the rising cost of living. AI platforms like ChatGPT are being used to create more convincing fraudulent messages, while AI image generators are utilised to produce fake celebrity endorsements. Retailers have already initiated a series of festive promotions leading up to Black Friday on November 29. Hazel Knowles, a senior project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, emphasised the importance of verifying sellers to ensure safe purchases amid these seasonal deals. She pointed out that criminals are leveraging social media to steal personal information, bank details, or money. Shoppers are advised to be cautious, check before making purchases, and validate the authenticity of websites.
The use of time-limited offers during Black Friday sales could pressure consumers into overlooking warning signs. The key advice is to take time, verify the legitimacy of sellers, and avoid rushing into purchases. If assistance is needed, shoppers are encouraged to contact advisers for impartial advice and report any scams or suspicious messages using the ScamWatch tool on scamwatch.scot. Consumers should remain alert to fake deals through phishing emails, texts, and social media adverts, as well as counterfeit websites that fail to deliver goods even after accepting payments.
Advice Direct Scotland provides free and practical advice through its consumeradvice.scot service, offering support via freephone, web chat, and email. The ScamWatch Quick Reporting Tool is available for reporting suspected scams and fraudulent activities. With the looming shopping frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, shoppers in Lanarkshire are urged to stay cautious and avoid falling prey to online scams during this holiday season.