- Fake retail websites increased by 250% in October, according to NordVPN data
- Up to 68% of people globally cannot recognize a phishing website
- Scammers take advantage of the rush of Black Friday flash sales
With Black Friday upon us, many of us are eager to stretch our holiday gift budgets with the best Black Friday deals, but you also need to be vigilant.
According to data from NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, fake Amazon sites saw a spike in October, up 232% from September.
With so many shoppers looking for deep discounts, it’s prime hunting season for scammers. Fraudulent online stores as a whole increased by 250%, while eBay clones saw the biggest increase, up 525% over the same period.
“Shopping events like Black Friday are a goldmine for cybercriminals,” said NordVPN’s Chief Technology Officer, Marijus Briedis.
“Fraudsters are taking advantage of the frenzy surrounding doorbuster deals and flash sales, knowing that shoppers in a hurry are more likely to click on malicious links or share personal information without a second thought.”
Even more alarmingly, most people can’t tell a fraudulent copy of a website from the real thing, with 68% of consumers unable to identify a phishing website, according to NordVPN’s National Privacy Test.
Websites aren’t the only tool in fraudsters’ arsenals, either. Phishing emails that falsify shipping notifications or exclusive offers are also common and can be very difficult to spot.
How to protect yourself from phishing
Falling victim to phishing is easier than you might think, even if you’re well-versed in online security.
Scams actually get more sophisticated every year, but NordVPN, the best VPN service on the market right now according to TechRadar’s reviewers, has put together a list of tips to help you stay safe while shopping.
1. Verify that the website is using HTTPS
First of all, you should always be sure to check that you are shopping on the dealer’s official website.
To do this, check that the site is using HTTPS, which can be easily verified by clicking the icon to the left of the URL in your address bar and verifying that the connection is secure.
2. Be wary of emails
While retailers tend to blast out emails during Black Friday, unsolicited emails that seem too good to be true should put you on guard. If a great offer is sent to you in an email, navigate to the website instead of clicking on any of the links in the email.
If you get emails that seem coercive, for example threatening to close your account, it is almost certainly a scam. Professional companies will not send out generic emails about closing your account, nor will they ask for personal information such as a social security number.
3. Save money and be safe online
If you want to be extra secure online, using a reliable VPN is a great option. Now is a good time to get a subscription for less, as many providers have already dropped their prices with an early Black Friday VPN deal.
NordVPN is our #1 rated VPN right now and is on sale right now. It’s just dropped to its lowest price of 2025, with savings of up to 77%, with three months of free service included.
While the Basic plan starts at the equivalent of $2.99 per month, if you upgrade to its Plus plan (right now at $3.89/month), you’ll also have access to Threat Protection Pro. It’s NordVPN’s flagship feature designed to protect you from a variety of online dangers, including fake stores, phishing scams, and more.
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