Чорна п'ята, one of the most anticipated dates in global commerce, it originated in the United States, but quickly became a global phenomenon. In 2023, Brazilian retail recorded a revenue ofR$ 6,1 billionduring the event, what does a 16% increase compared to the previous year represent, according to data from theEbit/Nielsen. Growth is not just in sales volume, but also in the number of online consumers: about85% of Brazilians connectedthey stated that they intended to take advantage of the event's offers, according to research from theGoogle
That's where the danger lies. With tempting offers and attractive promotions, data also attracts digital criminals, that take advantage of the increase in online traffic to commit fraud, steal personal and financial data, and deceive inattentive buyers. Recently, aNordVPN, global leader in cybersecurity, conducted a survey with 1.000 Brazilians, between 18 and 74 years old, revealing that theWhatsAppwas pointed out as the main channel for scams, with81% of respondentshaving received a fraud attempt in the last two years.
According to the results, people from older generations and men were the most vulnerable to scams involving fake online stores or fraudulent products. On the other hand, members of generations Y and X were more likely to receive fake job offers, reinforcing the need for heightened attention in digital environments.
Among the most frequent scams, the receipt of fake links to login pages was pointed out as the main problem, with 47% of Generation X participants (ages 44 to 59) being affected, followed by the Baby Boomers (60 to 74 years old), with 41%. The women, especially, they were quite targeted in this type of scam, with 43% of respondents reporting having received fake links, in comparison with 39% of men.
Furthermore, scams involving fraudulent online stores or counterfeit products also stood out, affecting 47% of Generation X individuals and 37% of Baby Boomers. Men reported being more affected by this type of fraud than women.
Scams through fake calls or messages from clients, technical support centers or banks were also widely mentioned. About 37% of Baby Boomers fell for this type of scam, followed by 31% of the younger generations. In addition to the mentioned blows, other types such as credit card cloning (20%), fake tickets (28%), frauds with coupons and prizes (16%) and even fake donations for charity (15%) were mentioned by a significant portion of respondents, highlighting the wide range of techniques used by criminals to deceive their victims.
And the number of scams tends to increase with the arrival of Black Friday. According to data from theForter, fraud prevention platform, the number of frauds in online transactions increases by up to60%during the shopping season. NordVPN also points out that there is an increase in phishing attempts, in websites and emails, just like in the distribution of malware aimed at capturing consumers eager for discounts.
During Black Friday, cybercriminals take advantage of consumers' haste to deceive them. Among the most common scams, stand out:
- PhishingEmails and messages that impersonate major retailers use fake links, where consumers are directed to fraudulent sites that collect personal information.
- Фальшиві сайтиCriminals create websites that mimic real stores, offering products at low prices to attract victims. After the purchase, the products will never be delivered.
- Fake discount couponsMany scammers offer fake discount coupons to collect personal information or lure consumers into accessing fraudulent pages.
- Payment fraudsTransactions via links or unofficial payment methods are risky. Criminals can divert the payment and the consumer will never receive the product.
Essential care when shopping online
Before making any online purchase, NordVPN recommends some security measures that can help prevent fraud
- Use a reliable VPNNordVPN creates an additional layer of protection, encrypting your connection and preventing hackers from intercepting your personal and financial data.
- Beware of excessively generous promotionsOffers with extremely low prices can be scams. Always check the store's reputation and look for reviews from other consumers.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when making transactionsPublic networks are easy targets for criminals who intercept unprotected information. Prefer secure networks or use a VPN to protect your connection.
- Check if the site is safePrefer sites that have a security lock (HTTPS) and provide clear and reliable contact information.
