The Office of Cyber-Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA) is warning the public about Black Friday scams.

OCSIA, which works to deter and defend against cybercrime, has given advice on how to avoid scammers while trying to find discounts.

A statement from OCSIA said: ‘Many of us will be looking to find big discounts this Black Friday, and whilst many of these deals are legitimate, some are completely fabricated or may not be as described.

‘To help protect yourself against fraudsters and cyber-criminals this Christmas (and all year-round), we have some useful tips to consider.’

The tips include:

- Shop from a secure computer – Protect your devices using up-to-date anti-virus software Use guest accounts – If you don’t frequently use a website, consider checking out as a guest rather than creating an account

- Use trusted vendors – Use websites and sellers you can trust. Do your research before making a purchase

- Don’t be rushed – Don’t be pressured to buy a product. Time-limited sales are often to blame for bad decisions and fraudsters take advantage of this

- Shop using a secure connection – When making a payment online, ensure the website has “https://” in the web address or a locked padlock sign. This means the connection between you and the website is secure

- Don’t fall for ‘too good to be true’ deals – Be wary of emails, text messages and advertisements on social media websites promising unbelievable savings. If in doubt, check them out! Find reviews and comments online from reputable sources.

It warns not to give fraudsters ‘an early gift this festive period’ and to protect your money and personal information.

You can visit www.ocsia.im/christmas for more tips about staying safe when making purchases online.