Avoid scams on Black Friday

Black Friday is one of the biggest retail days of the year and consumers are offered all kinds of amazing deals in shops and online. However, criminals often take advantage of this busy period to try to scam consumers. So here are some useful tips to help you avoid ending up a victim of card fraud.

Be extra vigilant

At this time of year people are inundated with special offers, both by e-mail and on social media. Before clicking on a link or opening an attachment, it’s a good idea to carefully read what it says. Scam emails often look plausible yet can direct you to websites where your personal details will be stolen.

Do you know who you are buying from?

It is important to be certain you are buying from trustworthy retailers. If you are shopping online look for the padlock icon and make sure the URL starts with “https”. This shows that the page is secure and that your payment details are protected. 

Avoid public wi-fi networks

Public wi-fi networks can be an easy target for scammers. Therefore, you should avoid entering your card details and similar information when on a public wi-fi network in cafés, airports or other public places. After all, it’s probably cheaper to pay for data than to end up at the mercy of online scammers.

Use the Virtual Card

The Virtual Card is a virtual, prepaid credit card which you can use for shopping online, making it ideal for one of the biggest retail days of the year. Please note that you cannot use the Virtual Card at normal payment terminals.

Keep your eyes open

The busiest shopping days of the year can often be chaotic. That’s why it’s important that you can easily keep an eye on your bank accounts. In the Arion app you can switch on notifications so you can monitor transactions as they happen in real time. If you notice anything unusual, it’s best to freeze your card and contact the Bank.

We recommend that you keep these tips in mind to ensure that you stay safe online on Black Friday.