Beware! Scammers!

With Black Friday just around the corner, a money-saving expert has warned shoppers that there will be a number of 'scammers' making the most of the event.

Although average spending is down 15 per cent on last year, from £2 billion to £1.7 billion, thousands of Brits are still expected to visit shops and browse online as companies prepare for Black Friday on November 25. While some retailers have launched deals early, many more are expected on Black Friday weekend, with Cyber Monday marking a day of significant online offers.

Money Expert's managing director, warned that Black Friday had created an "ideal environment for scammers" and that shoppers should be careful when checking emails.

He said: "Black Friday creates the perfect environment for scammers, where consumers are concerned about the prospect of an amazing deal. Typically Black Friday sees an increase in genuine emails from retailers.

"Scammers can use phishing emails, text messages or impersonate websites to advertise fake deals and end up stealing your personal information.

"If you receive an email or text message from a retailer, be sure to double check the sender's information, such as the email address or number, to make sure it is legitimately linked to the brand and don't click on any links you might receive. If you're not sure, you can double check by opening a new browser window and going to the actual website to check. You can even check on a different device to be more secure. Remember to check the URL for typos, as it could be a fake website."

Also, he warned consumers to immediately block users sending suspicious emails.

As the UK suffers from a cost-of-living crisis, it looks like spending will go down on the big day.