While many outlets have had Black Friday deals available for the last few days, almost 40 per cent of Irish shoppers plan to shop today or on Cyber Monday
A woman looking at her phone and credit card (Stock)(Image: Getty)
Irish shoppers have been warned to keep an eye out for sophisticated scams as the Black Friday frenzy begins this morning.
While many outlets have had Black Friday deals available for the last few days, almost 40 per cent of Irish shoppers plan to shop today or on Cyber Monday. And this creates a “perfect storm” for scammers, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The CCPC have released new case studies showing consumers are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated online scams. The case studies, which date between November 2024 and August 2025, reveal shoppers lost sums ranging from €42 to a whopping €20,000.
The CCPC say scammers are using a wide range of methods to scam customers, including highly convincing cloned websites, fake local shops, and targeted social media ads. Consumers are being urged in particular to never to buy directly from a social media link, and to go straight to the official retailer site or app.
To help consumers shop safely during the peak shopping season, the CCPC advises following three simple steps:
- Stop: Scammers often create urgency to pressure quick decisions. If something feels off or too good to be true, stop and think before engaging further.
- Search: Remember that logos, “about us” pages and imagery on websites can be fabricated. Always take a minute to check sites like Trustpilot or Reddit for independent reviews.
- Stay safe: Watch out for common red flags, including unusually large discounts – “up to 80% off”, unfamiliar websites, recently created social media profiles, and all five-star reviews. Always use a credit card, debit card or trusted payment provider, rather than a direct bank transfer.
A spokeswoman said: “As the busiest shopping season of the year kicks off, it’s important that consumers avoid rushing into online purchases and transactions. Online scams have become more and more sophisticated, using convincing images and stories and carefully tailoring their ads to seem like they’re a trustworthy business.
“For the sake of your finances and your safety, take care when shopping online. Don’t let tactics like time-sensitive offers or countdown clocks pressure you into making a decision you might regret.
“Do your research, take your time, and don’t take risks, no matter how tempting the deal – you can lose an awful lot of money in just a few clicks. Always use a credit card, debit card or trusted payment provider like PayPal, rather than a direct bank transfer.
The CCPC advise that, if you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. You may be able to initiate a chargeback and get your money back, and you may need to freeze your card to prevent further money being taken.
Gardai are responsible for pursuing scam operators, so people are also urged to contact their local Garda station and report it.
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