Kaspersky Warns Shoppers of Rise in Voucher Code Scams this Black Friday

This November, shoppers are expected to head online in great numbers to buy discounted home appliances and tech products during Black Friday. Surveying 2,000 consumers across the UK, Kaspersky research reveals that over half (55%) rely on voucher codes to find the very best deals. The statistical raises serious concerns over consumer security with fake coupons and voucher codes revealed by Kaspersky researchers to be a popular festive season tactic used by cyber criminals to obtain personal details.

Scams involve criminals creating authentic-looking brand vouchers and coupons offering enticing discounts in exchange for contact information which, in turn, can be sold on to third parties or used for phishing attacks. The vouchers aren't real, but the credible design made easier with AI tools and urgent demands to complete a submission within a strict time frame means that many shoppers are taking huge risks that their personal information will be used in malicious ways.

A further 26% of survey respondents claimed to be regular subscribers to email newsletter offers, another scam used by criminals as the seasonal shopping season reaches its frenzied peak. During such a lucrative time of year for criminals who are anticipating that shoppers will lower their guards during the rush to bag the best deals. 

One such email Kaspersky discovered offers an exclusive chance to win a gift card for a popular marketplace. To participate, the user is instructed to verify their PayPal account. However, this resource sets up a weekly subscription, gradually withdrawing money from the victim's account. If the user rejects the PayPal scenario, they are redirected to various scam resources.

“If a deal looks too good to be true then, as I always say, it probably is,” says David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky. “It's quickly coming round to the time of year when our inboxes are filling up with promotional emails and fantastic looking vouchers promising incredible deals, which makes it really hard to tell the real bargains from scams. That said, we've been here before (every year, in fact!) and there are some clear tells that will help shoppers spot a dodgy deal. Always, always, always check for spelling errors, strange looking web addresses, or odd design details that look like a mistake. Slick, official brands simply don't make these sorts of mistakes, so if you see a problem, it's probably a fake.”

To avoid falling victim to fake Black Friday scams, Kaspersky recommends the following Six Cyber ​​Security Steps for Black Friday:

1. Beware of Dea1s too g00d to be true:  Even if a site LOOKS is legitimate, it might not be. Scammers impersonate logos or use lookalike letters/numbers in URL's to trick people. Look out for 1's of L's, or 0's instead of O's and so on.
2. Never click a hyperlink!:  If you are sent an email with a link to a retailer, take a moment and don't click it. Copy and paste the link into a web browser - this will help you identify if it is real or fake.
3. Double-Check the Source:  Always verify the integrity of the sender and make sure the web address or other contact details match the retailer's official website.
4. Spelling and Design Errors:  Pay close attention to spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or strange design details as these are often tell-tale signs of phishing attempts.
5. Think Twice about High Discounts and Short Time Windows:  Be sceptical of deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers frequently lure victims in with unrealistically large discounts and offers which expire in a short time period. 
6. Phone a friend:  Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Often, another set of eyes can help spot a fake…

For further information and expert guidance on staying safe from cyber threats this Black Friday, please visit the Kaspersky website.