Black Friday promotions can feel especially perilous for shoppers who already struggle with impulse buying. In a discussion with RIAMO, a psychotherapist from JSC “Medicine,” the clinic founded by academician Roitberg, Dr. Irina Krashkina outlined the potential risks for those prone to shopping addictions.
“People who are prone to compulsive shopping may be more susceptible to promotions like Black Friday. This includes individuals who feel personal dissatisfaction and those who use shopping to satisfy emotional needs,” the doctor noted. Her point underscores the importance of recognizing personal triggers and approaching sales events with awareness rather than reflexive spending.
She stressed the need for vigilance and self-reflection when deciding what to purchase during such events. Understanding one’s own needs helps prevent unnecessary purchases and protects financial well being during peak sale periods.
Black Friday is set to begin in Russia on November 24 and will run for three days, drawing participation from retailers, marketplaces, and service providers across the market. The scale of the event often creates a sense of urgency that can push buyers to act quickly, sometimes without fully considering the long-term value of what they are buying. This context highlights the importance of planning a budget and sticking to it to avoid overspending.
Alexander Khaminsky, a Moscow-based lawyer who heads the Law and Order Center for the Moscow region, has previously commented on how discounts of 40 to 60 percent appear on marketplace pages during Black Friday. He cautions that such discounts frequently serve as a marketing tactic rather than a guarantee of real savings. The legal perspective he shares emphasizes following commercial law, which prohibits selling at a loss and encourages transparency in how discounts are presented to consumers. He also observed that buyers often value the size of the discount more than the final price of the product, while sellers benefit from creating a perception of savings regardless of the actual cost basis.
Cybersecurity experts have also issued warnings about the heightened risk of fraud during Black Friday. They note that cybercriminals intensify their activities, setting up fake websites and social media pages to harvest personal data and payment details. Consumers are advised to verify site legitimacy, scrutinize URLs, and avoid entering sensitive information on unfamiliar platforms. Marked citations from security teams emphasize the importance of using trusted sources and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Authorities and financial institutions have repeatedly urged buyers to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of offers. Reports from cybercrime units indicate that counterfeit storefronts are spun up quickly and can closely resemble legitimate retailers, making careful inspection essential. Examples of risk indicators include mismatched contact information, unusual payment options, and requests for unnecessary personal data. By maintaining skepticism about unusually steep deals and confirming features such as return policies and warranty terms, shoppers can reduce exposure to fraud while still taking advantage of legitimate promotions. [Citation: RIAMO interview with a psychotherapist, and security advisory notes]