Israelis Warned of Shopping Scams and Overspending During November Sales

As November approaches, bringing with it major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and China's Singles' Day, Israeli consumers are being cautioned about potential pitfalls. While these sales offer significant discounts, they also present opportunities for fraudsters, fake websites, and aggressive marketers to exploit shoppers. Many Israelis have adopted the practice of delaying large purchases until November to save money, a strategy that can be rewarding but also lead to unnecessary spending, unexpected charges, or outright fraud.

Data from Shva (Automated Banking Services) shows that in November 2023, Israelis spent approximately NIS 49.6 billion on credit cards within the country, an 11.8% increase from the previous year, with an average daily expenditure of about NIS 1.65 billion. Experts are highlighting the dangers consumers face and offering advice on how to navigate the sales safely.

Livi Oz, Head of Public Relations and Information at the National Cyber Directorate, warns that the sophistication of fraudulent websites has increased, partly due to AI tools that make them appear more convincing. She advises consumers to verify the legitimacy of online stores by checking for business names, contact information, return policies, and customer service details. Deals that seem too good to be true, especially those with immediate purchase pressure, are red flags. The Cyber Directorate recommends accessing shopping sites directly through official apps or by typing the URL, rather than clicking on suspicious links from messages. They also offer a service to check suspicious links and advise reporting potential fraud to their hotline at 119, and contacting credit card companies if financial details have been compromised.

Dudu Even Chen, spokesperson for the Israel Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, emphasizes the importance of verifying seller identity, checking online reviews and complaints, and confirming the company's registration number. He also points out that advertised prices may not include additional costs like shipping, and consumers must ensure they are comparing identical products, as minor differences in model numbers, warranties, or country of origin can significantly affect price. "The biggest saving is sometimes the product you decided not to buy," he notes.

Sharon Levin, Information Manager at the Paamonim Association, which assists families with financial management, suggests a three-step check: before, during, and after a purchase. She cautions against increasing purchase amounts solely to qualify for free shipping, as this can lead to buying unnecessary items. Levin also highlights the broader economic issue of easy credit and digital payments potentially masking accumulating debt, leading to financial difficulties after the sales period. She advises creating a shopping list, checking prices in advance, setting a budget, and defining the discount threshold that justifies a purchase, rather than acting on impulse.