Google has released a significant update, signaling the start of the Black Friday shopping season. With major retailers launching their Black Friday deals, consumers are urged to be cautious as scammers often exploit this period. According to Google’s latest advisory on fraud and scams, cybercriminals ramp up their fraudulent activities during peak shopping times like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The advisory warns that scammers capitalize on increased consumer demand and urgency to lure unsuspecting shoppers with deceptive offers, resulting in financial theft and data compromise. Google emphasized that scammers use various sophisticated tactics, such as creating fake online storefronts, running deceptive ad campaigns, and engaging in phishing schemes.
During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, individuals must remain vigilant for suspicious deals or notifications that seem too good to be true. Phishing attacks, where criminals attempt to obtain sensitive information by posing as trustworthy sources, are prevalent during this period. Common tactics include fake parcel delivery notifications or prize claims to deceive recipients.
Google is actively combating these scams with advanced technology to block fake emails and websites. Users of certain Google devices can benefit from enhanced protection features to guard against package tracking scams. Additionally, Google has introduced new safeguards for Google Messages users to prevent falling victim to phishing and smishing campaigns.
As the holiday shopping season unfolds, staying alert and cautious is crucial to safeguard against online scams and protect personal information from malicious actors.
