As Black Friday Looms, so Do the Fraudsters

With International Fraud Awareness Week coinciding with the start of the festive shopping season, Standard Bank is urging consumers to stay alert as scams surge in scale and sophistication. While fraudulent schemes have plagued consumers all year-round, the Black Friday frenzy marks the beginning of a high-risk period where cybercriminals exploit urgency, distraction, and the allure of deep discounts.

“During this peak shopping period, the threat multiplies as fraudsters prey on consumer excitement and rush,” says Standard Bank’s Head of Fraud Risk Management, Adv. Athaly Khan. “International Fraud Awareness Week arrives at a critical moment, arming the public with knowledge and encouraging a culture of vigilance.”

There are various scams to watch out for during this period, and fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics. But here are the common ones to watch out for:

Card Not Present

Fraudsters may create fake websites or replicas of existing and trusted websites to trick consumers into sharing their card details i.e. card number, expiry date and CVV. Consumers will “shop” on the fake website, inputting their card details only for the fraudster to retrieve and utilize them. “Always verify website URLs and avoid clicking on suspicious links,” says Khan. She urges Standard Bank customers to enable free in-app transaction alerts and report any suspicious activity immediately to help prevent financial loss.

“Fraudsters are getting smarter, but so can you,” says Khan. Before entering your card details, pause and check the site’s legitimacy. Type the URL yourself. If something looks off, trust your instincts and shut it down.”

Goods Scams

With the known search for good deals, fraudsters put out deals that are often “too good to be true”. These deals are enticing and implore urgency due to their “limited offer”. Consumers rush to make payments, failing to conduct due diligence as they want to secure the deal. In many cases, the goods never arrive, or the quality is not what was promised. “If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you’ve never dealt with that seller before, it’s wise to reconsider the purchase,” says Khan.

She urges buyers to research the seller and avoid those who push for instant bank transfers. “Google the seller’s name, website, and reviews. Legitimate sellers provide clear contact details, i.e., a working phone number, email, and physical address. Only pay if the site uses trusted gateways like PayFast, PayGate, or Ozow, which offer buyer protection.”

Phishing and Smishing

Fraud is not always a single occurrence. Fraudsters may use this time to send out “bait” emails and SMSs, containing links or QR codes, disguised as Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Consumers who click on the links or scan the QR codes may open their devices to being compromised, providing fraudsters with the opportunity to access your digital banking profile at a later date.

Khan advises consumers to pause and verify with the company before clicking any link or scanning a QR code. If unsure, call customer service directly. “Fraudsters thrive on urgency and excitement during this season. Ask yourself: Was I expecting this message? Is the sender familiar? Hover over links to preview the URL and watch for unusual characters like dots or dashes that don’t appear on the official site,” Khan adds.

Even when no red flags are present, Standard Bank encourages consumers to use virtual cards, which come with a 100% fraud protection promise. The enhanced security features make it safer for online shopping.