With the arrival of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, e-commerce is preparing for an exponential increase in sales — coinciding with one of the busiest periods for cybercrime. Some studies indicate that between January and November 2024, around 38.5 million phishing attacks related to online shopping, payment systems, and banks were blocked — an increase of almost 25% compared to the previous year. During the same period, up to 15% of e-commerce transactions in high-volume markets were suspected of digital fraud.

These figures highlight a scenario where consumers are more exposed than ever: 62% of users say they consider the risk of online fraud inevitable, and 64% report that such incidents affect their trust in brands. Therefore, both companies and consumers must adopt a preventive and conscious approach during promotional campaigns.

Adopting preventive measures, even simple ones, significantly reduces the risk of fraud, protects sensitive personal information, and strengthens consumer confidence. Ensuring digital protection is not only an operational obligation but also a sign of trust and responsibility from the company — capable of safeguarding the brand’s reputation and setting the organisation apart in an increasingly competitive market.

To ensure a safe experience during this festive season, Devoteam Cyber Trust has prepared a set of essential recommendations:

• Shop only on trusted websites - check that the address starts with https:// and do not open attachments or links without confirming their source.
• Be wary of unrealistic promotions - deals that seem too good to be true may be phishing traps or fraudulent schemes.
• Use secure payment methods - opt for temporary virtual cards or recognised platforms such as PayPal or MBWay.
• Protect your data and payments - avoid saving card details on websites and apps, enable banking notifications to monitor transactions in real time, and never share authentication codes — not even with “technical support”.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) - on your accounts, and keep transaction alerts active to detect suspicious activity.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi networks - when making purchases, and do not share personal or banking data on unknown websites or apps.
• Suspicious emails and messages (Phishing) - always verify the sender; often the email address looks similar but is not identical to the official one.
• “Failed deliveries” or “account updates” - be cautious, as these are common lures that may precede fraudulent activity.
• If you suspect fraud - do not complete the payment, contact your bank immediately, and block your card. Keep any evidence and report it to the relevant authorities.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent extraordinary opportunities for consumers and businesses alike, but also a fertile ground for fraud attempts. In a landscape where digital trust is essential, investing in cybersecurity means investing in the protection of reputation, customers, and data.

Staying vigilant, informed, and prepared is the best discount you can secure — the discount of peace of mind.

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