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AI-Powered Scams Threaten to Ruin Black Friday Bargain Hunting
10 Nov
Summary
- Cybercriminals create fake websites mimicking famous brands to steal money
- Unrealistic prices and requests for bank transfers are red flags
- Surge in malicious Black Friday-themed emails in October 2025
As Black Friday 2025 approaches on November 28th, cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm about a surge in AI-powered scams targeting eager shoppers. In the weeks leading up to the big day, there has been a sharp increase in malicious emails mentioning Black Friday, with the majority arriving on the last day of October.
Criminals are leveraging AI tools to create highly convincing fake websites that mimic popular brands, luring unsuspecting consumers into handing over their money. These scams often feature unrealistically low prices, lack of key business details, and requests for bank transfers instead of credit/debit card payments - all red flags that shoppers should watch out for.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is urging the public to be vigilant and stop the minute a purchase appears suspicious. Fraudsters are exploiting the increased spending and focus on deals during this time of year, using trusted brands and popular products to deceive people. Experts advise using credit cards for added protection and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.
