According to the BSI, an indication of a fake shop can be an incomplete imprint in which the authorized representative or postal address is missing. Customers who do not receive ordered goods or notice that a stranger appears to have access to their user account should react immediately. The authority provides information on the most important protective measures on its website under the keyword “Online shopping SOS card”.
Also warn about phishing emails
The BSI also warns of Black Friday phishing emails that look deceptively similar to messages from well-known retailers or payment service providers. The aim is to get users to open links and enter sensitive data such as passwords or account details. “If the email address does not match the official domain of the supposed sender, this is the first sign of a phishing email. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to uncover such emails,” said Hänzgen.
The Black Friday discount campaign falls on November 29th this year. However, many retailers also offer numerous products at reduced prices days and weeks in advance. Black Friday, whose name has several possible explanations, has its origins in the USA. There, the bridge day after Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November, marks the start of the Christmas business.