As the festive season fast approaches many of us will be on the hunt for special gifts in the Black Friday sales. The day falls on Friday 29 November this year – and even before we get to Black Friday itself, you’ll see tantalising deals and discounts from hundreds of online retailers.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, sometimes it is. Although most Black Friday offers are legitimate, the day of deals attracts scammers who create fake websites, phishing schemes and other tactics to steal your money and personal information. A recent F-Secure survey revealed that in 2023, 34% of individuals experienced a cyber scam while an alarming 85% reported encountering an attempted digital scam.

To avoid getting scammed, read on for our 10 proactive tips that’ll help reduce your vulnerability when shopping online. But always remember, first and foremost trust your own instincts. If you feel something is off when shopping, then go with your gut and shut it down. Stay safe, remain vigilant and happy shopping!

1. Install antivirus protection

Before making a purchase, install our trusted Virgin Media Advanced Security service that’s packed with clever, easy-to-use tools to keep you and your personal data safe online. Provided by F-Secure – our award-winning security partner – it allows you to browse, bank and buy with confidence across multiple devices. There’s also the free-to-use F-Secure Online Shopping Checker that verifies the safety of online stores.

2. Beware of big bargains

Be cautious of huge offers that seem too good to be true, as they often are just a tactic used by scammers to lure in victims. Do some research on average prices for the items you’re interested in to help identify unrealistic deals.

3. Use a reliable internet security app

As online scams come in many forms, it’s good to prepare for a wide set of potential threats. Our Advanced Security app scans for viruses, spyware and other malware to prevent you falling victim to identity theft online.  

4. Pay with a credit card or PayPal

Many credit card providers offer fraud protection, while PayPal provides support for safe online shopping. These methods often include dispute resolution processes that can help recover your money if you fall victim to a scam. Avoid using wire transfers or other untraceable payment method because these offer little to no recourse if you are scammed.

5. Monitor your bank account activity

Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorised transactions and report any suspicious activity to your bank or credit card provider. Virgin Media Advanced Security helps protect users from harmful activity when making transactions online by automatically detecting secure connections to recognised online banking websites. Just make sure the F-Secure browser extensions are in use.

6. Use unique and strong passwords

If you have an account with a retailer that suffers a data breach, your personal details could be at risk and lead to identity theft. To avoid your other accounts being affected, don’t reuse passwords across different sites, and create strong, unique passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. You can use a password manager to keep track of them easily.

7. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even a strong password may get stolen in a data breach. Two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification (2SV) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a second form of verification beyond your username and password. This could be a text message, an email or a code from an authentication app, making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts. Always enable two-factor authentication where available. Read more here.

8. Don’t open unauthorised links

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from a well-known brand urging you to click a link, don’t do it. Scammers often use logos and language that look real, so always double-check the sender’s email address and be wary of any urgency in the text. A security app like Virgin Media Advanced Security blocks known malicious sites automatically and keeps you safe online.

9. Be vigilant even with trusted brands

Scammers often impersonate big, trusted brands. Always double-check the authenticity of websites, even when shopping with brands you know and trust. Look for small details in the URL such as misspellings or extra characters, and make sure you’re on the brand’s official site before making a purchase.

10. Take extra precautions when buying used goods online

When purchasing from social media marketplaces, avoid paying for items in full before receiving them and ask for extra photos or videos of the item to verify its condition and the seller’s authenticity. If possible and it’s safe to do so, meet the seller to look at the item before making a payment. Remember: if the price seems too good to be true then it probably is.

Virgin Media Advanced Security

Virgin Media Advanced Security offers cutting-edge online protection powered by F-Secure, for as many devices as you like, for three months at no extra cost. Download Virgin Media Advanced Security on all your mobiles, tablets and computers to get going. We won’t ask for any payment info, so you don’t need to worry about sneaky auto-renewals or unexpected bills. After that, if you’d like to continue, it’s just £3 per month (or £30 a year).

Not only does it remove all existing malware, but it also prevents any future infections, keeping your devices clean for good.