Staying Secure While Shopping Online This Festive Season

As Black Friday approaches and people start hunting for early Christmas bargains, online retailers are not the only ones preparing for a busy few weeks. Seasonal sales create a prime opportunity for cyber criminals who know shoppers are moving quickly, comparing prices and trying to secure limited time offers before they disappear. 

This is the point in the year when fake websites, misleading social media adverts and convincing phishing emails become far more common. They are designed to blend in with genuine promotions and can be difficult to spot, especially when you are shopping on the go or juggling multiple deals at once. 

Understanding how these scams operate will help you shop with more confidence and avoid handing personal or financial information over to cyber attackers. 

What to Look Out for When Shopping Online 

Black Friday and the run up to Christmas are busy periods from online shopping, which means scams can be harder to spot. Here are the key warning signs to watch for while browsing, comparing prices or checking out quickly on your phone. 

Website impersonation: 

Look closely at the web address before you buy. Fraudulent sites often use misspellings, small character swaps or extra words to mimic well-known retailers, for example amozon.co.uk instead of amazon.co.uk. If anything looks slightly off or the design feels lower quality than usual, close the tab and navigate to the retailer by typing the correct address into your browser. 

Fake companies and social media adverts: 

Be cautious with adverts you see on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and similar platforms. Scammers can pay for ads that appear completely legitimate at first glance but actually lead to imitation online shops or checkout pages designed to collect card details. If you do not recognise the retailer, check reviews on independent sites rather than trusting feedback shown on the seller’s own page. If an offer looks unusually cheap or urgent, treat it as a red flag. 

Phishing attacks: 

Watch for emails offering exclusive deals or limited-time discounts. Phishing messages often copy the branding of well-known companies but include links that take you somewhere entirely different. Hover your mouse over the link to check the destination or visit the company’s website directly instead of clicking anything in the email. 

Vishing calls: 

Treat unsolicited calls with caution, especially if the caller asks you to confirm card details or claims your accounts has been compromised. Genuine organisations will not ask for sensitive information over the phone. If you feel pressured or something doesn’t feel right, hang up and contact the company using the published number on their official website. 

Unsecured or poorly configured websites: 

Before entering payment details, make sure the site address begins with HTTPS and the padlock icon appears in the browser. If the checkout process looks outdated, loads inconsistently, or asks for unnecessary personal details, consider abandoning the purchase. Secure retailers will never request full card information outside of a legitimate payment portal. 

A Safer Way to Navigate the Festive Sales 

Black Friday and the lead up to Christmas is  a chance to find genuine savings, but the rise in scams during this period is significant. The National Cyber Security Centre reported that UK shoppers lost more than £11 million to online shopping scams between 2023 and 2024, with fraudulent listings covering everything from clothing and electronics to higher value items like vehicles. 

The good news is that most scams can be avoided with a few simple habits. Going directly to trusted websites rather than clicking promotional links, checking unfamiliar retailers before you buy, and making sure the checkout page is secure all reduce the risk. Strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and an awareness of the signs of phishing and vishing also go a long way to keeping your information safe. 

If you ever feel unsure, step back from the purchase and check it properly before committing. And if you think you may have been caught out, contact your bank as soon as possible. Quick action gives you the best chance of limiting any impact. 

C3IA supports organisations across the UK with practical cyber security advice and guidance. If you would like help improving awareness within your organisation or strengthening your broader security posture, we are here to help.