As Black Friday sales heat up, the FBI has flagged a surge in scams targeting online shoppers, particularly users of Chrome and Edge browsers. Reports show an 89% rise in fake websites and nearly 80% of promotional emails being fraudulent this year.

Also Read: Pakistani FBI Agent Kamran Faridi Released from US Prison

The FBI advises shoppers to:

• Verify URLs for secure connections (“https://” and a padlock symbol).
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Stick to secure payment methods like credit cards, avoiding pre-paid gift cards.

Scam sites impersonating brands like Stüssy, Wayfair, and Longchamp are prevalent. Shoppers are urged to avoid clicking suspicious links and to research sellers thoroughly.