Johannesburg – As South Africans prepare for another Black Friday shopping frenzy, cybercriminals are preparing too, warns iTOO Special Risks.
While consumers search for online deals, fraudsters will exploit increased digital activity through phishing, fake retail websites, payment fraud, identity theft and account takeovers.
Lebogang Mfusi, Underwriter: Cyber at iTOO Special Risks, said Black Friday attracts cybercriminals because consumers are distracted by time-sensitive offers and fear of missing out.
“Black Friday creates the perfect environment for scammers because online shopping surges,” Mfusi said.
“Consumers actively search for promotions and discounts, making them more likely to click links, respond to offers and make quick purchasing decisions without any verification.”
Mfusi said cybercriminals exploit this sense of urgency to trick people into revealing information or making payments on fraudulent platforms.
“What makes Black Friday particularly difficult is that fraudulent behaviour can hide amongst legitimate marketing,” Mfusi said.
“Urgent messages, dramatic discounts and limited-stock warnings are normal during this period, which can make it harder for consumers to distinguish a genuine promotion from an attempted scam.”
Scams hiding behind attractive deals
While phishing attacks remain among the most common threats, they are far from the only danger facing shoppers.
Cybercriminals distribute emails, SMS messages and social media advertisements promising exclusive deals, limited-time discounts or scarce stock.
Consumers should also be cautious of promotional messages received through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, particularly where they are encouraged to follow a link to claim an offer or make a payment.
These often direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal or payment details.
“Consumers expect to see promotions during Black Friday, which makes these scams particularly effective.
When someone believes they have found a once-off bargain or sees messaging suggesting there are only a few items left in stock, they are more likely to act quickly and less likely to verify whether the website or offer is genuine,” Mfusi said.
Identity theft and account takeover attacks are common.
Criminals use stolen details to impersonate victims, open accounts, access services, or commit fraud in their names.
A single compromised password can expose multiple online accounts, especially when credentials are reused.
The hidden cost of cybercrime
While financial losses are often the most visible consequence of cybercrime, the impact frequently extends much further.
Victims may experience stress, anxiety, and a loss of privacy after discovering that personal information has been exposed or stolen.
Recovery can be time-consuming and disruptive, often requiring individuals to reset passwords, monitor financial accounts, report incidents and restore compromised services.
“Cybercrime affects more than your bank balance. People can lose access to important accounts, miss personal or professional opportunities, and spend months dealing with the consequences of identity theft,” Mfusi explained.
“There is also the emotional impact of knowing that someone may have access to your private information.”
She notes that ordinary individuals and families are often targeted because many underestimate their value to cybercriminals.
“There is a misconception that only wealthy or high-profile individuals are at risk,” Mfusi said.
“In reality, everyone has information that can be exploited.
“Criminals target large numbers of people and only need a small percentage of victims to respond for their schemes to be profitable.”
Practical steps to shop more safely
Fortunately, several simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
Before shopping online, consumers should ensure their devices, software and antivirus protection are up to date, enable multi-factor authentication where available and use strong, unique passwords for different accounts.
Shoppers should also verify retailer websites in advance, type web addresses directly into their browser rather than clicking links, and avoid conducting transactions on unfamiliar public Wi-Fi networks.
Warning signs of fraud can include generic greetings, unusual or misspelt domains, poor grammar, unrealistic discounts, and websites that lack HTTPS encryption or a padlock security indicator.
However, the presence of a padlock alone should not be taken as proof that a website or retailer is legitimate.
Consumers should check the actual website address carefully and make sure they are dealing with the retailer they intended to visit.
“Planning is one of the most effective ways to stay safe,” Mfusi said.
“Know what products you intend to buy, monitor prices beforehand and create a shortlist of trusted retailers.
“If an offer creates pressure to act immediately, treat that urgency as a reason to slow down and verify it first.
“A bargain today may end up costing you your peace of mind tomorrow if you are not careful.”
Mfusi advised that if consumers believe they have fallen victim to a scam, acting quickly is equally important.
“They should contact their bank or relevant financial institution where payment or banking information may have been compromised, change affected passwords, secure connected accounts and report suspected fraudulent activity as soon as possible.”
Taking a proactive approach to cyber protection
As cyber threats continue to evolve, consumers are increasingly recognising the importance of protecting not only their finances but also their digital lives.
Good cyber habits can reduce the likelihood of falling victim, but they cannot remove the risk entirely.
Personal cyber protection can therefore provide an additional layer of support when prevention is not enough.
iTOO’s [My]Cylution personal cyber insurance solution is designed to help individuals and families better navigate the growing risks associated with life online.
The solution includes theft of funds, identity theft and online shopping cover, helping policyholders manage the financial consequences of cyber incidents, identity-related expenses and certain cases involving the non-delivery of goods or services purchased online for personal use.
Mfusi said cyber safety should never begin after an incident has occurred.
“The financial, practical and emotional impact of cybercrime can be significant,” Mfusi said.
“The more proactive consumers are in protecting themselves, the better prepared they will be to enjoy the convenience of online shopping without unnecessary risk.”
