Four Ways to Spot a Cyber Scam This Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Every year, late November brings two big shopping events that started in the United States: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are the two biggest periods for retail and e-tail sales in the USA, when shoppers spend billions of dollars and most of those transactions are done online.

What Black Friday and Cyber Monday Mean in Australia

Black Friday began as a massive in-store sales day the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US, while Cyber Monday grew from retailers offering online discounts the Monday after. Over time, both events have spread around the world, including here in Australia, although on a much smaller scale.

Many Australian retailers now offer their own versions of Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials. And for shoppers, it can feel like the perfect chance to grab a bargain before Christmas.

But where there’s excitement, scammers see opportunity.

Fake online stores, unbelievable discounts, and dodgy payment links often appear during this period, and all are designed to trick you into handing over money or personal information. The good news? A few simple checks can help you spot a scam before it spots you.

Prices That Are “Too Good to Be True”

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can definitely bring real discounts — but there’s still a limit to what’s realistic.

Scam websites often lure people in with extremely low prices on items that are normally expensive. Sometimes the products are counterfeit. Sometimes nothing is sent at all. Either way, the goal is the same: take your money and disappear.

If a deal looks unbelievable, trust your gut. Real retailers still need to make money — scammers don’t.

Strange or Suspicious Payment Requests

Legitimate online stores follow a predictable pattern: choose your items, go to checkout, pay securely with a credit or debit card.

Scam stores often break this pattern. Be cautious if you see:

• Requests for your credit card details outside the normal checkout

• A website that refuses to accept credit cards

• A seller asking for cash, bank transfer, or crypto payments

• Emails or pop-ups asking for your financial information

If the payment method feels unusual, walk away. Genuine businesses don’t make you jump through strange hoops to take your money.

A Website That Looks “Thrown Together”

Most real online stores invest time in how their website looks and works. Clear

photos, readable text, easy checkout — it all matters.

Scam sites, on the other hand, often look rushed. You might notice:

• Blurry images

• Hard-to-use menus

• Strange spelling or grammar

• A checkout process that feels clunky

If the site looks messy or unprofessional, treat it as a warning sign.

Missing Essential Business Information

Legitimate businesses always provide key details that help you understand who you're buying from. Before purchasing, look for:

• A return and refund policy

• A privacy policy explaining how your data is protected

• Contact details such as a phone number, email address, or physical location

When these basics are missing, it often means the website is hiding something — usually the people behind the scam.

Stay Safe While You Shop and Avoid a Black Friday Scam

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be great fun — and great for your wallet — as long as you stay alert.

Slow down, double-check the website, and trust your instincts. Remember, if something feels off, it usually is.

With a few simple habits, you can reduce the cyber risk and enjoy the bargains without falling afoul of a Black Friday scam.

Stay smart, stay secure, and stay connected.