Cybercrooks and Black Friday Deals

How to bag a bargain without getting bag-snatched online

Black Friday is that magical time of year when we all collectively agree to wake up too early (or stay up too late) to buy a toaster that is 40% off. It’s a rush! But while you are hunting for deals, the "cybercrooks" are hunting for you.

Think of the internet on Black Friday like a crowded marketplace. Most people are just there to shop, but there are a few pickpockets weaving through the crowd. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech genius to stop them. You just need to know their tricks.

Here are the three biggest traps waiting for you this year, and how to step right over them.

1. The "Evil Twin" Website

The Trick: You see an ad for a new TV. It looks exactly like Amazon or Walmart. The logo is right, the colors are right, and the price is amazing. But look closer. The Catch: The web address might say Amaz0n.com (with a zero) or Walmart-Deals-Super-Store.com. The Fix: Always be the driver, not the passenger. Instead of clicking a link in an email or on Facebook, open your browser and type Amazon.com (or your store of choice) yourself. If the deal is real, it will be there.

2. The "Fake Order" Panic

The Trick: You receive an email that screams: "Order Confirmation! You just bought a $2,000 Gaming Laptop. Click here to cancel if this wasn't you!" The Catch: Your heart drops. You didn't buy a laptop! Panic sets in, and you click the "Cancel" link. That link takes you to a fake page that steals your password. The Fix: Take a breath. These crooks use fear to make you act fast. If you get a scary email, don’t click anything. Go to your actual bank account or credit card app and check your recent charges. 99% of the time, that "charge" doesn't exist.

3. The AI "Smooth Talker"

The Trick: The bad guys are using AI now, too. They use it to write emails that sound professional—no more bad grammar or spelling mistakes that used to give them away. The Fix: Trust your gut. If an email feels weirdly pushy or asks for personal info like your Social Security number just to "confirm a package," delete it. FedEx does not need your social security number to deliver a sweater!

🛡️ Your Black Friday Shield (3 Simple Rules)

Credit is King: When shopping online, try to use a Credit Card, not a Debit Card.

Why? If a crook steals your Debit Card info, they steal your real money from your bank account. If they steal your Credit Card info, they are stealing the bank's money, and the bank will fight to get it back for you.

The "Hover" Maneuver: Before you click a link in an email, hover your mouse cursor over it (don't click!). A little box will pop up showing the real website address. If it looks like a jumble of letters (xzy-cheap-buy.net), stay away.

Update All The Things: Whether you use a Windows computer, a Mac, an iPhone, or an Android, check for updates before you shop.

Why? Companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google release updates to fix security holes. Running an update is like locking the back door before you leave the house—it keeps the intruders out.

Summary

Shop happy, but shop smart. If a deal looks too good to be true (like a brand new iPhone for $15), it is probably a lie. Keep your guard up, stick to the big-name stores you know, and you will survive the season with your wallet—and your sanity—intact.

(I created the prompt, Gemini created the information.)

“Thanks for tuning in — now go hit that subscribe button and stay curious, my friends!👋”