Steal or Scam? The Truth Behind Black Friday ‘Deals’
Every November, Black Friday dominates the headlines — and the inbox. The promise of “unmissable” deals and “limited-time offers” sees shoppers rushing online to grab bargains before they’re gone. But while retailers prepare for record sales, cybercriminals are gearing up too.
In the UK, Action Fraud reported that shoppers lost over £10 million to online scams during the 2023 Black Friday and festive period — a figure expected to rise again this year. For attackers, the mix of excitement, urgency, and distraction makes Black Friday prime time for deception.
The New Face of Online Scams
Gone are the days of obvious scam emails filled with spelling mistakes. Today’s cybercriminals are organised, professional, and convincing.
Common tactics include:
Fake online stores that perfectly mimic well-known retailers.
Phishing emails and texts claiming to be from trusted brands or couriers such as Royal Mail, Evri or DPD.
Social media adverts promoting “flash sales” on high-demand products that never arrive.
Malicious pop-ups designed to harvest payment details or install malware.
These scams are increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine offers, which is why a healthy dose of scepticism is now a vital part of every purchase.
How to Tell a Steal from a Scam
Before you click “Buy Now”, take a few seconds to verify what’s really in front of you:
Check the URL carefully – scammers often use domains that look right at first glance but are subtly altered.
Don’t trust unsolicited emails or texts – visit the retailer’s website directly.
Be wary of pressure tactics – countdowns and “low stock” warnings are often false urgency cues.
Use secure payment methods – credit cards or PayPal offer better protection than bank transfers.
Look for HTTPS, but remember: even fake sites can have SSL certificates.
If something feels too good to be true, it probably is.
What This Means for Your Business
Black Friday scams might sound like a consumer issue — but they also create real risks for UK businesses, especially in hybrid and digital-first workplaces.
Here’s why it matters:
Personal activity on work devices can introduce phishing and malware into your network.
Credential reuse between personal and business logins increases the risk of data breaches.
Distraction and urgency lower vigilance, making even trained staff more likely to click on malicious links.
A single careless click can open the door to ransomware, credential theft or data compromise.
How to Protect Your Organisation
To keep your organisation safe this shopping season:
Remind staff about phishing awareness and the importance of safe online behaviour.
Encourage personal shopping only on personal devices.
Ensure endpoint protection and antivirus software are fully updated.
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all systems.
Monitor for unusual logins or data transfers that could indicate an attempted breach.
Simple, proactive measures can dramatically reduce the risk to your business.
A Final Thought
Black Friday should be about genuine steals — not scams. With the right habits, awareness, and technology in place, your organisation can stay safe while your staff enjoy the season’s best deals.
How We Can Help
At Headstart IT Solutions, we help UK businesses stay secure all year round — from cybersecurity awareness training to endpoint protection, threat monitoring, and phishing prevention.
If you’d like support strengthening your defences ahead of the busy retail season, get in touch with our team today.
Let’s make sure this Black Friday brings savings — not security headaches.