Black Friday falls on Friday, November 27 this year, and as every year it has become one of the biggest shopping days in Israel too. But it is also the busiest season for scammers: fake sites impersonating well-known stores, ads with '90% off', and 'parcel waiting' messages that arrive just when you really are expecting a delivery. Here is how to enjoy the deals without getting caught.
How to spot a fake site? Check the address in the browser bar letter by letter. Scammers use addresses that look almost identical to real ones, with one letter different, an extra hyphen or another ending. Extreme discounts on popular products, like an iPhone at half price, are almost always a scam. Be wary of sites you reached from a social media ad, especially new ones without company details, address or phone number. For unfamiliar stores, look for customer reviews outside the site itself.
How to pay? A credit card protects you more than a bank transfer, Bit or crypto, because you can request a chargeback for fraud or an item that never arrived. Even better: a virtual card or a separate card for online shopping with a low limit. If a site asks you to pay only by bank transfer, Bit to a private person or crypto, that is a serious warning sign. And never give a verification code you received by SMS to anyone calling 'from the store'.
How to know if a discount is real? Some 'deals' are prices raised beforehand to look reduced. Check the price at several stores and on comparison sites, and start tracking products you want now so you know the regular price. And remember customs: for purchases from abroad above a certain amount you pay taxes, which can cancel out the discount.
And after you buy? Be especially wary of delivery texts and emails in the weeks after Black Friday. Scammers know everyone is waiting for parcels and send 'delay' or 'customs due' messages with a link. Check delivery status only on the store's or courier's site or app, which you reach yourself. And if something goes wrong, contact your card company immediately. Smart shopping is not just finding the lowest price but making sure your money goes to the right place.
