236 euros. According to a survey by Visa, this is how much the average victim of online fraud in Slovakia loses. And yet, a single click on a fake advertisement, a suspiciously advantageous offer, or an SMS about a package delivery can be enough.
With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, opportunities for not only great deals but also scams are increasing. Fake e-shops are becoming more convincing, and distinguishing them from real ones can be challenging. How not to get caught? We looked at the current data and prepared tips to help you shop more safely.
More Discounts, More Opportunities for Scammers
Black Friday is no longer just a single shopping weekend. Discounts start at the beginning of November and continue until Christmas. According to the Czech-Slovak E-commerce Barometer 2026, 39.9% of Slovaks planned their Christmas shopping by the end of October, while 17.9% leave it until December.
This means more opportunities for scammers. Fake discounts, imitations of well-known e-shops, or fraudulent SMS. And the closer it gets to Christmas, the easier it is to succumb to the pressure of quick purchases.
"Scammers are active throughout the year, but during the shopping season, our behavior plays into their hands. We spend more, make decisions faster, and under the influence of FOMO, we are more likely to fall for offers that we would otherwise consider more carefully."
Daniela Marušková, CMO ui42
Online Scams in Numbers. How Much Do They Cost Us?
Do you think you would never fall for a fraudulent e-shop? Numbers show that caution is never enough. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, shopping scams accounted for 54% of scams experienced by victims in the past year. In the EU, 35% of online fraud victims encountered fake e-shops.
In Slovakia, according to a survey by Visa, the average victim of online fraud loses 236 euros. Total damages are estimated at 155 million euros annually.
However, Slovaks are more cautious when shopping. According to the E-commerce Barometer 2026, 56.2% verify Black Friday discounts, but at the same time, 67.6% trust customer reviews. And these can be faked by scammers. Five stars, therefore, do not necessarily mean a safe purchase.
Fake E-shop? You Might Not Recognize It at First Glance
Poor Slovak language or amateur design once easily revealed a fraudulent e-shop. Today, however, scammers can use AI to create convincing pages, product descriptions, and fake reviews. They can even copy the appearance of a well-known e-shop so that you almost can't tell the difference.
Imagine an ad for a popular brand with a 60% discount. You click, a trustworthy-looking e-shop opens, and everything checks out. Except for the web address, which has one extra letter. Therefore, relying solely on the appearance of the page is no longer enough.
A professional appearance does not mean that the e-shop is trustworthy. When creating e-shops it's important to think not only about design but also about security and the reliable functioning of the entire shopping process. Quality UX design helps customers easily find important information about the store, payment, or delivery.
"Thanks to AI, scammers today can quickly mimic the design and content of a well-known e-shop. From a technical standpoint, it doesn't have to be complicated. Therefore, the details that a customer might not notice at first glance are crucial – for example, a difference in the domain or redirection to a fake payment gateway. A professional-looking website is simply no longer a guarantee of a safe purchase."
Radoslav Kuchár, Head of Development ui42
Not Every Scam Starts with a Purchase
Do you receive an SMS saying you need to pay an additional 1.99 € for package delivery or click a link to confirm the shipment? Or does a courier deliver an unexpected cash-on-delivery package for 60 euros, but after paying, you find only a worthless trinket inside? These are examples of scams you might encounter.
Scammers are not always after immediate payment. They often try to obtain credit card details or access to internet banking. Especially before Christmas, when we expect multiple shipments at once, it's easy to lose track.
Anyone can fall for it, not just less experienced customers or seniors. Therefore, always verify the sender, the expected shipment, and the cash-on-delivery amount. **If you suspect that you have provided payment details to a scammer, immediately
How to Recognize a Fraudulent E-shop? Check These 5 Things
You don't have to be an IT expert to spot a fraudulent e-shop. Just verify a few basic things before shopping.
- Web Address: Watch out for typos, strange endings, or domains mimicking well-known e-shops. Even HTTPS does not automatically guarantee a safe purchase.
- Operator Information: Check the company name, ID number, and contact details. If they are missing or cannot be verified, be cautious.
- Customer Reviews: Don't rely solely on reviews directly on the e-shop. Check independent reviews as well.
- Suspicious Discounts: A product at a fraction of the usual price? Compare the offer with other stores.
- Pressure for Quick Purchase: Last items or discount countdowns shouldn't force you to buy immediately. Take your time to verify.
ui42 supports fair e-shops.
