(NewsNation) — Considered one of the biggest shopping days of the year, Cyber Monday is also one of the most dangerous as scammers look to capitalize on an influx of shoppers,
Around 74 million people are expected to shop Cyber Monday deals this year. In 2024, customers spent $16 million per minute during the holiday’s peak spending hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Adobe Analytics estimates that shoppers will spend $14.2 billion online Monday, a robust round of shopping after a Black Friday that exceeded expectations.
Here are some red flags to watch for, according to the Better Business Bureau:
- An insecure address — look for “https,” not just “http.”
- A misspelled URL.
- Only accepting gift cards or money transfers like Zelle or Venmo.
- Copious pop-up ads.
- Being redirected to another site.
The BBB also warned shoppers to be wary of links on social media. Instead of clicking a link to an item and buying directly, go to your browser and search for the item there.
When you check out, paying by credit card rather than debit card provides consumers with more protection against unauthorized purchases.
If you do fall victim to a scam, first reach out to your bank and report the issue. Then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Victims who file an ICCC report in the first 72 hours have a better chance of tracking and recovering their money, the FBI said.
The nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center can also help if you believe your identity has been compromised.