The holidays are often a joyous and fun time of the year, and many people love to buy gifts for others. However, with the large number of holiday shoppers participating in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, there are increased risks of scams and fraud. Criminals are also taking advantage of the busy holiday shopping period to target unsuspecting consumers. While the holiday season is often an exciting time, there are many Black Friday and Cyber Monday crimes you should know about in order to avoid falling victim to or being accused of crimes.
Being convicted of a crime during the holidays may lead to a criminal record, fines, jail or prison time, and other adverse outcomes that can influence your upcoming plans. The surge in online sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday creates more opportunities for cybercrime and fraud. A skilled Louisiana criminal defense lawyer at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm may be able to help you fight the charges or accusations you may be facing during the holiday season. We’re here to represent you in a courtroom and work to the best of our ability to help you towards a better future.
Introduction to Holiday Shopping Scams
The holiday season is a time when millions of people flock to online stores in search of the best deals on holiday gifts, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, this surge in online shopping activity also brings a spike in cyber threats, as cybercriminals take advantage of the increased traffic to launch fake websites, phishing attacks, and other online threats. With so many shoppers eager to score the best deals, it’s easy to fall victim to common cyber threats that can compromise your personal and financial information.
Staying alert to these holiday shopping scams is crucial for protecting yourself and your loved ones. By understanding the risks and practicing security awareness, you can enjoy a safer online shopping experience throughout the holiday season and avoid becoming a victim of Black Friday and Cyber Monday cybercrime.
How You Can Avoid Black Friday Crimes in Louisiana
In-person shopping during the holidays is popular, as many people camp outside of stores to catch the best deals on their wanted items before they sell out. Assault, theft, shoplifting, aggravated battery, and criminal mischief are among the criminal acts people commit or encounter while shopping on black Friday.
In addition to these physical crimes, shoppers should also be aware of Black Friday scams, which are non-physical crimes that target consumers through deception and fraud. Whether you found yourself in a heated situation with other shoppers or were wrongly arrested during your Black Friday shopping, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help.
Tips for avoiding Black Friday crimes in Louisiana include:
- Avoiding engaging in heated arguments
- Don’t provoke others or start physical altercations with other shoppers
- Keeping your items and belongings in your sight to avoid theft, as thieves may try to steal money through scams or direct theft during Black Friday
- Don’t forget to take your receipts and any proof of purchase, as this can help protect you against fraudulent purchase claims.
- Shopping only with legitimate retailers to avoid scams and ensure your transactions are secure
- Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding getting trapped in large crowds
- Helping your kids while they shop and browse through crowded stores
- Avoiding driving under the influence or speeding while driving
- Being on the lookout for any suspicious people or activity in parking lots
Black Friday shopping can be exciting for many people, but crowded stores, a lack of security, and busy streets often increase the possibility of crimes and criminal acts. Especially during a busy season, it’s not uncommon for police officers to be on the lookout for criminal acts. If you encounter trouble with the law due to the criminal acts of other shoppers or other circumstances, our legal team may be able to help lead your case to be dismissed or charges lessened.
Non-Delivery Scams and Fake Order Scams
During the holiday shopping season, non-delivery scams and fake order scams are especially prevalent. In a non-delivery scam, you might find what appears to be a great deal online, make a purchase, and then never receive the item—because the seller was never legitimate to begin with. To avoid these scams, always shop with reputable retailers and take a moment to verify any new or unfamiliar online stores. Look for clear contact information, such as a physical address and a customer service phone number, and check that the website looks professional and trustworthy.
Fake order scams are another common threat, where you receive emails or messages about orders you never placed, often claiming there’s a problem that needs your attention. These phishing emails are designed to trick you into clicking on malicious links or entering your login credentials and personal information. If you receive a suspicious message about an order, don’t click any links or provide any information. Instead, contact the business directly using contact details from their official website or customer service line to verify the legitimacy of the message. By staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these holiday shopping scams.
Phishing Attacks and Social Media Scams
Phishing attacks and social media scams ramp up during the holiday shopping season, targeting online shoppers eager for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Cybercriminals often send fake emails or social media messages that look like legitimate promotions, shipping notifications, or exclusive offers, all designed to steal your credit card details or install malware on your device. Social media scams are particularly common, with fraudulent posts and ads on platforms like Facebook and Twitter promising unbelievable deals or giveaways, but actually leading to scam sites or malicious links.
To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited emails or messages offering holiday shopping deals, and always double-check the web address before entering any payment information. Look for subtle misspellings or unusual URLs that can indicate a spoofed website. Enable two-factor authentication on your online accounts whenever possible, and use strong, unique passwords for each site you shop on. By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and social media scams during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Malicious Advertising and E-Skimming
Malicious advertising and e-skimming are growing cyber threats that can compromise your security during the holiday shopping season. Malicious ads, or “malvertising,” can appear even on legitimate websites, redirecting unsuspecting buyers to scam sites or infecting their devices with malware. E-skimming is another serious threat, where hackers inject malicious code into the payment pages of real sites to steal your credit card information as you check out.
To stay safe, avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups, and always make sure the website you’re shopping on is secure—look for “https” in the address bar and a valid SSL certificate. Stick to legitimate websites and trusted retailers, and use a credit card for online shopping, as it typically offers better protection against unauthorized transactions than other payment methods.
Regularly review your credit card statements for any signs of fraudulent activity, especially after making purchases during Black Friday sales or Cyber Monday deals. By staying alert to these online threats, you can help ensure your holiday shopping remains safe and secure.
Protecting Against Debit Card Fraud
Debit card fraud is a significant risk during the holiday shopping season, especially as online shopping activity increases. Using a debit card for online purchases can put your entire bank account at risk if your card details are stolen, making it much harder to recover lost funds compared to credit card fraud. For safer holiday shopping, opt for a credit card or a secure digital wallet whenever possible, as these options often provide better protection and reimbursement for fraudulent purchases.
Enable transaction alerts on your debit card to receive immediate notifications of any suspicious activity, and keep your security software up to date to guard against cyber attacks. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi networks, as they can expose your payment information to hackers. Be cautious of phishing emails and social media scams that may try to trick you into revealing your debit card details. By taking these steps, you can minimize your risk of falling victim to debit card fraud and enjoy a more secure online shopping experience throughout the holiday season.
Helpful Tips for Avoiding Cyber Monday Crimes
Black Friday crimes typically involve in-person interactions. However, Cyber Monday crimes are very different. Internet crimes have been on the rise over the last decade, and our legal team has helped many clients through the hardships and challenges of various crimes committed on digital platforms. During Cyber Monday, online activity spikes significantly, which increases the risks of falling victim to online scams and cybersecurity threats. Shopping online during this period exposes consumers to a higher risk of fraud, phishing scam attempts, and other digital crimes.
Common Cyber Monday crimes often involve:
- Identity theft
- Banking fraud
- Email fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Fake website scams
- False orders and delivery scams
Online shoppers are usually eager to get the best deals and savings from the best available option. With this in mind, some tips may help you avoid common scams and avoid facing criminal charges due to committing fraudulent acts.
Some helpful tips to avoid Cyber Monday crimes include:
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when shopping online to reduce the risk of data theft and exposure to cybercriminals.
- Be cautious when clicking links in emails or on social media, as these may lead to scam sites or malicious links.
- Watch out for phishing scam emails and messages that mimic legitimate organizations and request personal information.
- Stay alert for malicious posts on social media that promote fake deals or direct you to fraudulent websites.
- Only shop on secure sites that use HTTPS and display a padlock icon, indicating they have valid SSL certificates.
- Always verify you are on the real site before entering payment information to avoid fake online stores.
- Learn how to spot fake online stores by checking for poor website design, suspicious URLs, and a lack of contact information.
- If you suspect you have ordered from a scam site, contact your financial institution immediately and report the fraudulent website.
- Be aware of online scams, especially during Cyber Monday, as cybercriminals exploit high-shopping periods.
- Don’t click on suspicious email links, as they may contain malicious links designed to steal your information.
- Avoid giving away personal and financial information over the phone.
- Use strong passwords and digital privacy.
- Shop from safe browsers and credible sites.
- Avoid falsely reporting and disputing charges.
- Don’t cash or deposit checks from unknown or suspicious sources.
- Review expected charges, receipts, and email confirmations.
- Remain cautious during online shopping.
In Louisiana, cybercrimes are taken seriously, and it’s challenging to manage the penalties or effects of an arrest without a skilled attorney. At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, our legal team understands the stressors and troubling situations many people face throughout the holidays. We’re eager to help our clients by helping them understand their rights and avoid unnecessary convictions.
Fight Criminal Allegations During the Holidays With Attorney Eric G. Johnson in Louisiana
Facing criminal charges or being accused of crimes during the holiday season can cause stress and potentially ruin your holiday plans. Despite the challenges that may arise while facing the consequences of a crime, speaking with an experienced criminal defense lawyer may be your best bet at receiving a good outcome. John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm can not only thoroughly investigate the circumstances and details of the charges, but can also work diligently to refute the prosecution’s claims.
Attorney Eric G. Johnson has years of experience collecting evidence, defending clients, and leading cases resulting in the dismissal of many charges. You may benefit from consulting with our legal team if you are accused of one or multiple offenses for Black Friday and Cyber Monday crimes. Complete our online contact form or give us a call at (318) 377-1555 to schedule a free consultation today.