Black Friday is a great opportunity to secure great discounts on various products, but it's also one of the most popular times for scammers to deceive consumers. Therefore, it's crucial to be vigilant and follow some recommendations to avoid fraud. Here, we'll present 10 practical and easy-to-understand tips to help you make your Black Friday purchases safely.
These tips are based on information from trusted sources, such as consumer protection agencies and digital security experts, to ensure you know exactly how to protect yourself. Let's get started!
1. Check the company's CNPJ
One of the first steps to ensuring the store you're buying from is trustworthy is to check the company's CNPJ ( National Registry of Legal Entities). The CNPJ (National Registry of Legal Entities) is like a company's CPF (Individual Taxpayer Registry), and it allows you to check the store's status on the Federal Revenue Service website. This will help you confirm that the company actually exists and is in good standing.
The older the company, the more trustworthy it tends to be. For example, newly created companies can be a red flag, especially if you've never heard of them. Fake stores often use the CNPJs of legitimate companies to create fraudulent websites. One example of this was Quetzalli, a company whose identity was misused on fake websites to deceive consumers.
To avoid falling for these scams, visit the Federal Revenue Service's official website and enter the company's CNPJ (Brazilian Taxpayer Registry). Also, pay attention to basic information such as the address, partners' names, and founding date.
2. Be wary of prices that are much lower than the market price.
During Black Friday, it's common to see incredible discounts, but prices that seem too good to be true can be a red flag . Scammers often lure buyers with unrealistically low offers. Therefore, it's essential to do some price research before making a purchase.
Use tools like Buscapé or Zoom , which compare prices across multiple stores, to check if the discount is within a realistic range. If the price is significantly lower than what you've found on other reputable websites, be wary! Many scammers take advantage of this time of year to create fake websites and sell products at unrealistic prices, only to never deliver them.
According to Procon , fraudulent companies create pages specifically for events like Black Friday, offering unusual discounts. This is one of the main signs of fraud, and the recommendation is: if the price seems too good, it's best not to risk it.
3. Research the store's reputation
Before making a purchase, it's important to know what others are saying about the store. Research the store's reputation on websites like Reclame Aqui , where consumers leave their opinions about companies and report problems they've had with purchases. If you find many complaints about the store, especially if it doesn't respond or resolve issues, think twice before buying.
The Reclame Aqui website is an excellent tool for checking how a store treats its customers. It's also worth checking out websites like E-bit , where consumers rate their shopping experiences. This can give you a good idea of the store's reliability and whether it's trustworthy or not.
In addition to checking the reputation of platforms like these, also look for information on social media. Consumers often share their experiences in groups or forums, which can help you avoid pitfalls.
4. Be careful with offer links received via email or social media.
One of the most common scams during Black Friday involves sending fake emails or social media messages with links to offers. Never click on unknown links , especially if you received them via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. These links can lead to fake websites that appear trustworthy but are designed to steal your personal or financial information.
Whenever you want to access a store, type the website address directly into your browser or use the store's official apps. This way, you avoid falling for fraudulent websites that are simply trying to steal your data. According to Cert.br 's Internet Security Guide , phishing scams (fraudulent messages) are one of the most common ways to steal data during major shopping events like Black Friday.
5. Check if the website is secure
Before entering your personal or payment information, it's very important to verify that the website is secure. Check that the website address begins with "https://" and that a padlock appears next to the URL . This indicates that the website has a security certificate, meaning your information will be encrypted and protected.
If the website doesn't have these security measures, don't enter your details and avoid purchasing . Online security is crucial, especially during events like Black Friday, when consumers are often more rushed and vulnerable. Cert.br 's Internet Security Guide also warns about the importance of checking the security padlock to ensure you're in a secure environment.
6. Beware of stores that only accept bank slips
Stores that only accept payment via bank slip may be suspicious. Bank slips are a more difficult payment method to track and refund in the event of a scam. If the store only offers this payment method, be wary.
Whenever possible, choose to pay with a credit card or use reliable payment platforms like PayPal or Mercado Pago , which offer greater security and facilitate refunds in case of purchase issues. According to experts at Procon , these platforms also allow you to dispute the transaction if something goes wrong, providing an extra layer of consumer protection.
7. Track your credit card transactions in real time
If you choose to make your purchases with a credit card, monitor your transactions in real time . Many card companies offer the option to send notifications for each purchase made. This can be very useful for quickly identifying any card misuse.
Additionally, it's a good practice to regularly review your bank statement to ensure there are no unauthorized charges. If you notice anything unusual, contact your bank immediately. According to Cert.br , this is one of the best ways to protect your finances during peak shopping periods like Black Friday.
8. Read the store's return and exchange policy
Before completing your purchase, check the store's return and exchange policy . Reliable companies usually make this information clear and easy to find on their website. This is important because if the product isn't what you expected or arrives defective, you need to know what to do.
Reputable stores guarantee that customers can return or exchange products without complications. According to Procon ( Consumer Protection Agency), the Consumer Protection Code guarantees that consumers have the right to cancel their online purchases, allowing them to cancel their purchase within 7 days of receiving the product.
9. Be wary of websites with strange names or names that are very similar to famous brands.
Scammers often create websites with names similar to those of major brands, but with minor changes, such as typos or different domains (e.g., ".net" instead of ".com.br"). Pay close attention to the URL of the website you're buying from . If it looks strange or slightly different from what you're used to, avoid making the purchase.
According to digital security experts like Cert.br , this is a common tactic among scammers, especially during Black Friday. They create websites that look nearly identical to those of official stores to confuse consumers and steal their data.
10. Keep your antivirus updated and use strong passwords
Keeping your computer or cell phone protected is essential to avoid fraud. Make sure your antivirus is up to date and working properly. An antivirus can block malicious websites, protect your data, and alert you to potential threats while browsing.
Additionally, use strong, unique passwords for each site you create an account on. Never reuse the same password across multiple sites, because if one is compromised, all your accounts are at risk. Password management tools like LastPass or 1Password can help you create and store secure passwords, avoiding problems.
References:
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Federal Revenue
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Procon
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Complain Here
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Internet Security Primer - Cert.br
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Cert.br
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Procon
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Internet Security Primer - Cert.br
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Complain Here
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Procon
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Cert.br
By following these 10 simple and practical tips, you'll be able to shop much more safely this Black Friday, avoiding the common scams that occur during this time of year. Stay alert, do your research, and take advantage of the promotions wisely!
