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Shoppers from across the country will hit stores (or their keyboards) searching for the best Black Friday deals in Canada. With so many sales, it can be hard to tell which ones are worth your time, or just trying to take advantage of you. This quick list provides a few common scams and best practices when shopping. We also found a few deals so you can shop confidently this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When it comes to Black Friday deals in Canada, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Before clicking “purchase,” take a moment to compare prices. Check the retailer’s previous sale prices and other reputable retailers’ prices. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true—they often are.
Black Friday deals in Canada often come with strict return policies. Be certain to review and understand each retailer’s policies. Even if a purchase is marked down, this discount won’t mean much if you cannot return it for a refund or exchange.
Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping often involves buying gifts before the holidays. It is crucial to ensure that gift recipients can return or exchange them if needed. Always ask for a gift receipt.
Before you click “add to cart” on that Cyber Monday deal, read the fine print. For example, many retailers advertise deep discounts, but the item is only available in limited quantities before it returns to regular price.
The same applies to “buy one, get one” deals. Check to see if both items are equal in value. Often, one item has a significant discount, the other has no discount or is of lesser value, and the average of the two items makes for a less meaningful deal. Finally, don’t fall victim to “door dasher deals” that get you in the door for limited quantity sales only to sell you everything else at regular or inflated prices.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a Black Friday deal in Canada, or a Cyber Monday sale. Every Canadian should understand the basics of online shopping security.
Always be aware of potential imposter sites. These simple steps can distinguish between shopping safely and a criminal maxing out your credit card.
We all know scammers like to take advantage of the high stress of scrambling holiday shoppers. Here are a few of criminals’ most common tactics during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
As we mentioned, scammers create fake websites that look identical to a legitimate retailer’s site. They do this to steal your credit card information when you make a “purchase.” These sites often use typosquatting, also known as URL typos, to pass as their legitimate retailer counterparts unnoticed. Examples include wolmart.com and amazonn.com.
Many Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams come in the form of phishing emails. These emails appear to be from a legitimate retailer but are sent by criminals. The email will likely include a non-existent deal or coupon code. You are redirected to a fake website that steals your personal information if you click the link.
An order/delivery link trap happens when you receive an email appearing to be from a delivery company like Canada Post, UPS, or FedEx. It can even be an email with a tracking number from a well-known delivery retailer like Amazon. The email notes an issue with your delivery and provides a link to track your package. Unfortunately, clicking on the link will take you to a phishing site that will try to collect banking or credit card information or your other online credentials. Always track your deliveries through the original retailer’s website.
During the holidays, scammers will try to take advantage of your generosity by setting up sham charities. They use fake websites or social media profiles to collect donations that won’t ever support a good cause. Therefore, it’s essential to do your research before donating to any charity. If in doubt, use the Canadian Revenue Agency’s charity search tool to ensure your chosen charity is legit.
We’ve all seen too-good-to-be-true deals pop up in our social media feeds. And while some of them may be legitimate, many are not. Be very careful when clicking on links from social media posts. Scam artists often use social media to lure victims to their fake websites.
So now you know what scams to steer clear of this holiday shopping season. We’ve selected five amazingly awesome (and real) deals we’ve collected from our chosen retail partner, amazon.ca.
Remember to stay vigilant when shopping for Black Friday deals in Canada this year. Avoid the scams that we covered. With this baseline knowledge and some caution, you can stock up on holiday essentials and remain stress-free during this “crazy” shopping season.
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