PayPal’s tips and tricks for shopping successfully this Black Friday
The Black Friday sales are about to start and we've got some great advice from PayPal to help you shop like a pro.
Online shopping is now the most popular way to shop during sales. It's convenient, diverse and super easy. And, with the third biggest sale season in Australia upon us, only beaten by Boxing Day and EOFY events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday look set to be a spending spree to remember.
However, be aware that with huge online sale events comes increasing risks. Cyber crime is at its highest and taking measures to protect yourself during this year's sales is an absolute must.
The countdown to Black Friday is officially on and with less than a week to go, we're all anticipating the great opportunities to save. But, one thing to remember about shopping during the sales is that it pays to be prepared. Seize the day and set yourself up for a successful sale shopping spree in the 2024 event.
Secure the best deals and do everything you can to reduce the risk of falling victim to online fraudsters by heeding these top tips and tricks from the world's most popular payment platform, PayPal:
- Pay attention to the URL. Secure sites feature https:// (as opposed to http://) and usually feature a padlock icon. This is a good indication that the site is safe for users.
- Start your shopping spree early. Whilst you can't see the physical queues online, trust us, they're still there. The very best Black Friday deals get snapped up fast so set your alarms early or stay up late and be the first to witness the deals as they roll in at midnight.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi. In general, public Wi-Fi networks are not secure. As such, shopping online when using one is a no-no. Doing so could put you at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
- Shop ethically. Choose brands that give back to our environment and avoid stores that don't operate ethically.
- #buyfromthebush: As we know, eastern Australia is currently facing one of the worst droughts to date. Support our rural communities through this difficult time and #buyfromthebush.
- Do your research. If you're branching out and trying new stores during the sales this year, it's important to do some research before doing so. Customer reviews are a great way to see what others thought of their experiences with retailers. You can also check out our list of partnered online retailers. Finder only partners with secure and trustworthy brands, so we're sure you won't be disappointed by any of these stores.
- Follow stores on social media. The latest craze to hit Australia is shopping through social media. As such, we're expecting many brands to promote their best Black Friday deals through sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow your favourites to ensure you don't miss out on an awesome opportunity to save.
- Shop at retailers that accept PayPal. By using this payment provider you'll be able to check out quickly and ensure your financial details are safely encrypted. And, in the event that something does go wrong, PayPal will be on hand to help. Check out our list of stores that accept PayPal.
- Compare prices. Don't miss out on a better deal elsewhere. Check out competitors before committing to buy something during the Black Friday sales to avoid any later disappointment.
- When in doubt, get out. Online marketing campaigns are literally everywhere right now. Be on the lookout for suspicious links in emails, social media campaigns and text messages as it's becoming an increasingly common way for cyber criminals to lure in their prey. If something doesn't feel quite right, it probably isn't.
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