This year, Black Friday will take place on November 24th. With rising prices, this event has become essential to place orders. But it's also a period during which some unscrupulous merchants, or even out-and-out fraudsters, can take advantage of consumers.
In a joint statement, the Fraud Repression Directorate (DGCCRF) and the Customs services provide some tips to avoid getting scammed.
Is the website trustworthy
Black Friday is a significant event for merchants. Those selling online spend substantial amounts to appear among the top search results on Google or to be visible on social media.
However, malicious sites hiding outright scams sometimes slip in between the traditional offers. To avoid being tricked after clicking, verify that the site is trustworthy. The platform should display the legal notices mandated by law. You should find the seller's identity, the name of their company, and the contact information for the consumer mediator in case of a dispute. If these notices are absent, switch to another site.
Is the payment secure
It's all too easy for a hacker to replicate the look of an official payment page in a phishing scam. This classic but highly damaging method allows the fraudster to gather details like the credit card number, its expiry date, and CVV number. The thief can then use the card to make purchases or discretely sell the information on the darknet.
Refrain from making payments on sites you're visiting for the first time, even if the promotional offer seems attractive. Meanwhile, you can use a virtual credit card number. Most banks offer this service, which involves generating a unique card number for the transaction with a maximum spending amount set to that of the purchase. Should these details be nabbed by a hacker, your financial loss will be limited.
Finally, be sure that the page is secured by the "https" protocol. In this case, a small padlock should be visible to the left of the URL bar in your browser.
#3: Beware of "customs fees"
Did you find a great Black Friday deal and the product is being sold from abroad? Beware of customs fees! When a purchase is made in a country outside the European Union, additional import fees are sometimes added upon the arrival of the package on French soil.
These customs fees concern goods with a value exceeding €150, except in rare cases where they are exempt. The problem is that consumers are warned at the last minute by the package carrier, usually via email or text message. If they do not pay the fees, the package is simply not delivered. The benefit tied to the promotional offer can then be completely wiped away by the surprise taxation.
To find out if the purchase is subject to duties, check the origin of the product. If it comes from a country outside the EU, take a look at the general terms and conditions of sale to see if the duties are included in the price.
#4: Fake SMS or emails for customs fees: a classic phishing scam
Customs fees that may be associated with a purchase can also be a target for scams. One such fraud that has become very common involves fraudsters sending fake text messages or emails demanding payment of customs duties to retrieve their packages.
Be aware that customs never contact individuals by text message, email, or phone. Simply ignore the message and make no payment.
If the message appears to be coming from a carrier, it is still best not to click on any links. Instead, visit the official website of the carrier with the package number provided to you at the time of your order. If the request indeed exists, you will see it appear.
#5: Beware of counterfeits
Unscrupulous sellers also take advantage of this period to sell counterfeit items, often after luring the consumer with an incredible promotional discount on a typically expensive product. Here again, don't fall for it: favor official sites, whether those of brands or recognized distributors. Be wary of offers that are too tempting and only visible on certain sites, especially if these are new or not well-known.
All types of products can be subject to counterfeiting, from luxury brands to cosmetics, clothing, electronics, collectibles, etc.
No rush, especially if the offer seems too good to be true
When you want to buy, don't let yourself be pressured. Statements intended to make you order quickly should not be taken lightly, as they are used to make you cave in. However, they sometimes hide unfavorable conditions. The DGCCRF calls them "dark patterns" or "manipulative practices aimed at influencing your choice by making you believe in a false sense of urgency".
Among the most commonly used phrases are: "Only 3 left in stock", "offer valid for only 48 hours" or a "free trial offer" that sometimes leads to a paid subscription that is difficult to get rid of.
This "boiling kettle practice" is a classic of aggressive sales (and scams). It also concerns investment, as we pointed out in an article.
#7: Avoid impulsive purchases, prepare your purchase in advance
It happens that merchants with dubious practices create fake sales. You've spotted a fridge with a -25% discount during Black Friday. The sale tag "proves it", as it displays the crossed out price of 300€, reduced to 225€! Except a few weeks earlier, the price was also… 225€! By displaying this false discount, the consumer believes they are getting a good deal... but they are not.
The fraud repression department reminds us that "any price reduction should reference the lowest price practiced by the professional during the last 30 days". While waiting for Black Friday, take a look at selling sites and stores to know the standard price of the targeted item.
#8: The 14-day withdrawal period exists for many internet purchases
A product purchased on sale should be as satisfactory as when it was purchased outside of discount periods. If it doesn't meet your expectations, the law gives you a right to a 14-day withdrawal period, even if it's purchased on the internet.
If this right is not applicable, the merchant must clearly mention it before finalizing the order. This could apply to the purchase of concert tickets, a service carried out immediately after payment, personalized products, etc.
#9: Be wary of dropshipping sites
Dropshipping is a relatively recent practice that is often found on social media. The principle is simple and legal: a person selling a product completely leaves the management of stocks and deliveries to their supplier. The problem is that this practice often results in complaints from consumers about unreceived products, non-compliant products or even downright fraudulent ones. Some "dropshippers" have been singled out, for example, for selling very low-quality products at excessively high prices.
