What are the Black Friday Sales?
Black Friday sales are one of the biggest shopping events of the year, marked by massive discounts, limited-time deals, and high-traffic promotions offered by both online and in-store retailers. Originating in the United States and now widely adopted in Australia, and around the world, Black Friday typically falls on the last Friday in November and signals the start of the holiday shopping season.
Businesses use it to clear stock, attract new customers, and boost end-of-year revenue, while shoppers take advantage of significant price drops on electronics, fashion, appliances, and more. With the rise of eCommerce, Black Friday has evolved into a multi-day online sales period, drawing millions of Australians to hunt for bargains across the weekend and into Cyber Monday.
Why can Black Friday Sales be so Dangerous?
Black Friday has become one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, but while customers hunt for bargains and businesses gear up for record sales, cybercriminals are preparing too. This period is one of the most profitable times for scammers, with phishing emails, fake websites, payment fraud, and account-takeover attempts surging as online activity peaks.
Whether you’re a shopper looking to score a deal or a business managing increased traffic, awareness is your best defence. Here’s why staying cyber-vigilant during Black Friday matters and what you can do to protect yourself.
Common Black Friday Scam Techniques to Watch Out For
Phishing Emails and Text Messages – Scammers send messages pretending to be from legitimate retailers, delivery companies, or banks. These phishing messages often include:
- Suspicious links claiming “your order is ready”
- Tracking notifications you weren’t expecting
- Requests to update payment details
If the deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Fake Online Stores – Cybercriminals often create websites that look identical to big retailers. They may advertise massive discounts, but once you pay, your order never arrives… and your card details are stolen.
Malicious Social Media Ads – Fraudsters run fake ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, especially for popular electronics or luxury brands.
Account Takeover Attempts – Attackers use leaked passwords from old data breaches to break into online shopping accounts, banking apps, or email inboxes.
Delivery Scams – With millions of parcels moving across Australia, fake Australia Post and courier messages increase significantly during Black Friday.
Why Cyber Threats Increase During Black Friday
Black Friday creates the perfect storm for cybercriminals: high online spending, rushed decision-making, and inboxes flooded with promotional emails. Scammers know this, and they exploit it.
More Online Traffic = More Opportunities – During sales events, Australians spend billions online. Attackers take advantage of distracted shoppers and busy retailers who may not notice subtle security threats.
Fake Deals Spread Rapidly – Cybercriminals build counterfeit websites, clone popular brands, and send “limited-time” deals that trick users into entering payment details.
Businesses are Stretched Thin – Retailers are busy managing orders and support tickets, making it easier for threats like DDoS attacks, credential stuffing, and malware to slip through unnoticed.
How Shoppers Can Stay Safe During Black Friday
Stick to Trusted Retailers – If you’re unfamiliar with a store, check reviews, look for proper contact information, and confirm it has secure payment options.
Avoid Clicking Links in Emails – Go directly to the retailer’s website instead of using email links.
Use Strong Unique Passwords – If one shopping account is breached, you don’t want attackers accessing your emails, banking, or other platforms. Changing your security to a passphrase may also be of use for your accounts to increase overall levels of cybersecurity.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – The implementation of multi-factor authentication can help stop most account takeover attempts instantly.
Watch your Bank Statements – Check for unusual charges, even small amounts, scammers often test cards with tiny transactions first.
Impacts of Black Friday Scams
According to the latest data from Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), it was reported that there was over $5 billion lost to scams throughout 2023 and 2024 combined, with online shopping scams accounting for a large portion of this figure.
Cybercriminals know that Black Friday is a high-spending, high-pressure event, making it the perfect opportunity to trick both unprepared shoppers and overloaded businesses. A single data breach, fraudulent sale, or website outage can destroy customer trust and cost thousands in damage.
Stay Safe this Black Friday!
Black Friday should be exciting, not stressful. By staying alert to phishing attempts, avoiding suspicious links, using secure websites, and prioritising cyber safety, you can enjoy the deals without risking your personal or financial information.
For businesses, investing in proactive cybersecurity now will protect your customers, your revenue, and your reputation throughout the entire holiday shopping period.
If your business needs help strengthening its cybersecurity before the holiday rush, partnering with an experienced IT support provider can make all the difference.
If you are needing any assistance after a potential Black Friday scam, we are here to help! You can reach out via phone at 1300 423 378 or simply email us at info@adept-it.com.au.
