- Fake store websites spiked 250% in October, NordVPN data shows
- Up to 68% of people worldwide cannot recognize a phishing site
- Scammers take advantage of the rise of Black Friday sales
With Black Friday just around the corner, many of us are eager to stretch our Christmas gift budget with the best Black Friday deals, but you should also 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 hunting season for scammers. Fraudulent online stores as a whole increased by 250%, while eBay clones saw the largest increase, up 525% during the same period.
“Shopping events like Black Friday are a gold mine for cybercriminals,” said NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis.
“Scammers take advantage of the frenzy around spectacular deals and flash sales, knowing that rushed shoppers are more likely to click on malicious links or share personal information without a second thought.”
Even more alarming is that most people can’t tell a fraudulent copy of a website from the real thing, and 68% of consumers can’t 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 detect.
How to protect yourself from phishing
Becoming a victim of phishing is easier than you think, even if you know your way around online security.
In fact, scams are getting more sophisticated every year, but NordVPN, the best VPN service on the market right now according to TechRadar reviewers, has curated a list of tips to help you stay safe while shopping.
1. Verify that the site is using HTTPS
Firstly, you should always make sure to check that you are purchasing from the retailer’s official website.
To do this, you need to verify that the site is using HTTPS, which can be easily verified by clicking the icon to the left of the URL in your address bar and verifying that the connection is secure.
2. Be careful with emails
While retailers tend to send a lot of emails during Black Friday, unsolicited emails that seem too good to be true should put you on guard. If they send you a fantastic offer via email, navigate to the website instead of clicking on links in the email.
If you receive emails that seem coercive, for example threatening to close your account, it is almost certainly a scam attempt. Professional companies do not 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 be safer online, using a reliable VPN is a fantastic option. Now is a good time to get a subscription for less money, as many providers have already lowered their prices with an early Black Friday VPN deal.
NordVPN is our number one VPN right now and it’s on sale right now. It 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/month, if you upgrade to their Plus plan (right now at $3.89/month), you’ll also have access to Threat Protection Pro. That’s NordVPN’s signaling feature designed to protect you from a variety of online dangers, including fake stores, phishing scams, and more.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
