AS THE sales start to appear online, customers are being warned to take extra precautions this Black Friday weekend.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, the busiest time of year for online shopping is also the busiest time for online criminals.

The Leader: North Wales Police official poster.North Wales Police official poster. (Image: North Wales Police)

North Wales Police are encouraging shoppers to be safe and take precautions this weekend by using recommended secure payment methods and reading reviews from reputable sources to check sites and sellers are legit.

By only using retailers you can trust or authorised sellers named on official websites will you be able to shop for deals online safety.

North Wales Police ask that you be aware of;

  • Offers that seem 'too good to be true.'
  • Websites that are only days/weeks old
  • Anyone who encourages you to make payments outside of secure payment options.
  • Being asked to pay a seller you don't know for goods by bank transfer (this could be a sign of fraud).
  • Fake email receipts and email addresses that don't match the genuine sender's.

You should always avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or social media posts and access websites you're purchasing on from typing it into your web browser.

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In unsure at any point, stop to take a moment and think before parting with your money.

Always challenge and remember it's okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests you're unsure about. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.