Lucknow
As the Black Friday shopping fervor sweeps across India, the Uttar Pradesh Police’s cyber cell is urging online shoppers to exercise caution and stay vigilant against a surge in cyber scams targeting discount hunters. Black Friday, traditionally following Thanksgiving, marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, with stores offering significant discounts on various products. Triveni Singh, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Cell, highlighted the heightened risk associated with the increased usage of voucher codes and newsletter emails during Black Friday. Singh warned that cybercriminals exploit the excitement by creating fake websites to trick consumers into sharing sensitive information such as account passwords, payment details, or personal information. These stolen credentials can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities, Singh cautioned. He specifically advised against clicking on links in phishing emails, texts, or messages that appear to be from legitimate companies. Such links may lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information or install malware on devices. Singh pointed out that fraudsters often create fake customer support, healthcare, package delivery, or airfare-booking websites to target unsuspecting individuals. These sites may request personal information or credit card details under the guise of providing services or verifying accounts. The cyber cell is urging online shoppers to adopt safe practices to protect themselves from cyber scams not only during Black Friday but throughout the entire holiday shopping season. Staying vigilant and verifying the authenticity of websites and communications are crucial steps to ensure a secure online shopping experience.
