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.
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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.