• Fake shop websites soared by 250% in October, according to NordVPN data
• Up to 68% of people globally cannot recognize a phishing site
• Scammers take advantage of the rush around Black Friday’s flash sales

With Black Friday upon us, many of us are keen to make our Christmas gift budget go further with the best Black Friday deals, but you need to be on your guard, too.

According to data from NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, fake Amazon websites have seen a meteoric rise in October, up 232% from September.

With so many shoppers seeking deep discounts, it’s prime hunting season for scammers. Fraudulent online stores as a whole increased by 250%, while eBay clones saw the largest increase, up by 525% over the same period.

“Shopping events like Black Friday are a goldmine for cybercriminals,” said NordVPN’s chief technology officer, Marijus Briedis.

“Scammers exploit the frenzy around doorbuster deals and flash sales, knowing that rushed shoppers are more likely to click on malicious links or share personal information without thinking twice.”

Even more alarmingly, most people cannot tell a fraudulent copy of a website from the real thing, with 68% of consumers unable to identify a phishing website, according to NordVPN’s National Privacy Test.

Websites aren’t the only tool in scammers’ arsenals, either. Phishing emails that spoof shipping notifications or exclusive deals are also common, and can be very tricky to spot.

How to protect yourself from phishing

Becoming a victim of phishing is easier than you might think, even if you’re well-versed in online safety.

Scams are indeed becoming more sophisticated every year, but NordVPN, the best VPN service on the market right now according to TechRadar’s reviewers, has curated a list of tips to help you stay safe while you shop.

1. Check the site is using HTTPS

First off, you should always be sure to check that you’re shopping at the official website of the retailer.

To do this, you should check that the site is using HTTPS, which can be easily verified by clicking on the icon to the left of the URL in your address bar and checking that the connection is secure.

2. Be wary of emails

While retailers do tend to blast emails out during Black Friday, unsolicited emails that seem too good to be true should put you on your guard. If a fantastic offer is sent to you in an email, navigate to the website rather than clicking on any links in the email.

If you get emails that seem coercive, for example, threatening to close your account, that is almost certainly a scam attempt. Professional companies don’t send out generic emails about closing your account, nor will they ask for personal information such as a social security number.

3. Save money and stay safe online

If you’d like to stay extra safe online, using a reliable VPN is a fantastic option. Now’s a good time to get a subscription for less, as many providers have already dropped their prices with an early Black Friday VPN deal.

NordVPN is our #1 rated VPN currently, and is on sale right now. It just dropped to its lowest price of 2025, with savings of up to 77%, with three months of free service included.

While the Basic plan starts at the equivalent of $2.99 a month, if you upgrade to its Plus plan (right now at $3.89/month), you also have access to Threat Protection Pro. That’s NordVPN’s flagging feature designed to protect you from a variety of online dangers, including fake shops, phishing scams, and more.

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