Next week is Black Friday and over a 3-year period, the Federal Trade Commission has compared their data on the average number of quarterly fraud reports per 100,000 residents, revealing the states most at risk of being scammed on Black Friday.
Florida ranks fifth among states most at risk of being scammed on Black Friday. This is 24% higher than the average across the US, highlighting Florida as an at-risk state for scams during the sales.
Over the three-year period analyzed, there were 452,222 fraud reports in Florida in total. The average reported loss to the victims was a huge $650.59 per report, which is 25% higher than the national average of $522.55 per report, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant in the state.
Law enforcement says the scamming on Floridians increases around Black Friday, with many shoppers letting their guard down while on the hunt for discounts, an opportunity that scammers take advantage of. Fake retail websites, counterfeit ads on social media, and phishing emails or scam calls disguised as shipping or payment notifications are just a few of the tactics criminals use during major shopping events like Black Friday.
Paul Mertens, CEO of Winna says as the busiest shopping season of the year begins, it is important to only shop on trusted websites, avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links that seem too good to be true, and only use secure payment methods that offer fraud protection.
“If you think that you may have fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately, report it to the Federal Trade Commission, and change any passwords that may have been compromised. “Being alert is the best defense against scammers, and by staying informed, shoppers can enjoy the Black Friday deals without becoming a target for fraud,” said Winna.
