Palos Park, IL – With Black Friday sales officially underway, police are warning Illinois residents to be extra cautious of online scams that often spike during the holiday shopping season.
According to the Palos Park Police Department, several types of scams are already circulating this week, including phony order and delivery notifications, counterfeit retail websites, and misleading QR codes. These scams often appear as text messages, emails, or pop-up ads that imitate legitimate retailers.
Authorities advise residents to verify website URLs before entering payment information and to avoid clicking on links from unknown sources. “Scammers are counting on shoppers being in a rush to grab deals,” police noted in their advisory. “Always double-check before you click.”
Experts recommend sticking to well-known retailers, monitoring bank statements closely, and using credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection. Shoppers should also be wary of deals that seem “too good to be true,” as these are often bait for phishing or counterfeit product schemes.
The police department emphasized that awareness is key to preventing loss during the busiest shopping season of the year.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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