The Hot Sale 2026 has once again boosted online shopping in Argentina, but it has also raised alarms about the increase in digital scams related to false promotions, cloned sites, and credit card fraud.
Cybersecurity specialists warn that such mass events are often exploited by cybercriminals to launch phishing campaigns, fake pages, and scams on social media.
Fake sites are one of the most common risks
One of the main fraud hotspots appears in search engines, where many users start looking for offers and discounts.
According to cybersecurity experts, it is common for sponsored ads to appear among the top results that lead to fake pages designed to mimic official stores.
Therefore, they recommend carefully checking the web address before entering personal or banking information.
Another frequent practice is called domain squatting, a technique that involves registering domains very similar to those of well-known brands to deceive users. In many cases, only one letter or symbol differs from the original site.
Fake promotions via email and messages
During the Hot Sale, there is also an increase in fake emails and messages that pretend to come from recognized platforms like Mercado Libre, Amazon, or AliExpress.
Criminals often use supposed exclusive promotions, account issues, or giveaways to get the victim to click on fraudulent links.
The goal is to steal personal data, passwords, or credit card information through fake pages.
The risks of shopping on social media and unknown stores
Small online stores and posts on social media also pose a risk if they do not have adequate security measures.
Experts recommend always verifying the seller's reputation, looking for external reviews, and confirming that the page uses a secure connection via HTTPS protocol.
