Derbyshire County Council issues advice for Black Friday shoppers

As Christmas approaches and shoppers are bombarded with deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team is advising residents on how to avoid scams and fake offers when searching for a bargain.

The team warns that scammers often create pressure with countdown clocks and limited time deals to make people act quickly. If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

They recommend shopping only with reputable retailers and checking that the website address starts with https, shows a padlock symbol and matches the official site. Shoppers should watch for small typos in URLs (web addresses) and avoid links in texts and emails.

• Be cautious of social media adverts or unexpected messages. AI “deep fake” videos are commonly used to make a famous person look like they are endorsing a product when it is not really them.
• Don’t click links in texts or emails or on social media. Go only to a retailer’s official site.

If a suspicious link is clicked, the device should be reset and antivirus software installed before logging in. Scam websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre and scam texts forwarded to 7726.

Shoppers should use secure payment methods. A credit card is best for purchases over £100 as it offers Section 75 protection. Bank transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency should be avoided as they are often used by scammers.

Messages about missed deliveries with links should be ignored. This will be a particularly big issue leading up to Christmas as people are typically making more online purchases and expecting more deliveries as a result. If a parcel is expected, contact the delivery company through its official site or app.

Councillor Dawn Abbott, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: “We can all feel pressure at this time of year to get the Christmas shopping done. We’re urging our residents to think before they click, do some research before they buy and take steps to keep themselves safe online.”

Anyone who thinks they have been scammed and given bank details should call their bank immediately and dial 159 to reach the fraud team. They should ask for a refund and follow the bank’s process. If refused, the case can be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman. Scams should be reported to Action Fraud.

In addition to advice on avoiding scams, trading standards officers are also reminding shoppers of their rights when buying goods. Prices should be compared carefully as “was” prices and RRPs (recommended retail prices) can be misleading and shoppers may not be saving as much money on an item as it first appears from the advert.

If a delivery is late or missing the seller, not the courier, is responsible. Unless a specific date is agreed, goods ordered online must arrive within 30 days or the buyer can request a refund.

Sale items must meet quality standards under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If goods are faulty or not as described, shoppers can claim a refund, repair or replacement. Online purchases can be cancelled within 14 days under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 even if not faulty, although return costs may apply.

For more advice call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.