- Fake store sites soared 250% in October, NordVPN data shows
- Up to 68% of people worldwide cannot recognize a phishing site
- Scammers are taking advantage of the rush around Black Friday flash sales
With Black Friday upon us, many of us want to increase our Christmas gift budget with the best Black Friday deals, but you also need to be on your guard.
According to data from NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, fake Amazon websites saw a meteoric rise in October, up 232% from September.
With so many shoppers looking for deep discounts, it’s prime scammer-hunting season. Fraudulent online stores as a whole increased by 250%, while eBay clones saw the largest increase, by 525% over the same period.
“Retail events like Black Friday are a goldmine for cybercriminals,” said Marijus Briedis, CTO of NordVPN.
“Scammers exploit the frenzy around bargains and flash sales, knowing that shoppers in a hurry are more likely to click on malicious links or share personal information without thinking twice.”
Even more alarming, most people can’t tell a fraudulent copy of a website from a real one, with 68% of consumers unable to identify a phishing website, according to NordVPN’s National Privacy Test.
Websites aren’t the only tool in scammers’ arsenal, either. Phishing emails that spoof shipping notifications or exclusive offers are also common and can be very difficult to spot.
How to protect yourself from phishing
Becoming a victim of phishing is easier than you think, even if you are well versed in online security.
Scams are indeed becoming more sophisticated each year, but NordVPN, the best VPN service on the market currently according to TechRadar reviewers, has put together a list of tips to help you stay safe while shopping.
1. Verify that the site uses HTTPS
First of all, you should always make sure that you are shopping on the retailer’s official website.
To do this, you need to check that the site uses HTTPS, which can be easily checked by clicking the icon to the left of the URL in your address bar and checking that the connection is secure.
2. Beware of Email
Although retailers tend to send out emails during Black Friday, unsolicited emails that seem too good to be true should put you on guard. If a fantastic offer is emailed to you, go to the website rather than clicking on the links in the email.
If you receive emails that seem coercive, such as threatening to close your account, it is almost certainly a scam attempt. Professional companies don’t send generic emails about closing your account, nor will they ask for personal information like a Social Security number.
3. Save money and stay safe online
If you want to stay safe online, using a reliable VPN is a fantastic option. Now is a good time to sign up for a lower-cost subscription, as many providers have already lowered their prices with an early Black Friday VPN deal.
NordVPN is currently our #1 VPN and is on sale now. It’s just dropped to its lowest price of 2025, with savings of up to 77%, with three months of free service included.
While the Basic plan starts at the equivalent of $2.99 per month, if you upgrade to its Plus plan (currently $3.89/month), you also gain access to Threat Protection Pro. This is NordVPN’s reporting feature designed to protect you from various online dangers, including fake stores, phishing scams, and more.
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