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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Aleksandar Stevanović

I'm not taking any risks this Black Friday – and Surfshark's credit card alerts are the perfect safety net

A hand holding a credit card to represent the Surfshark Alert security feature.

Black Friday promises the year's biggest savings, but it also brings a surge in online scams and data theft. Fake stores, phishing emails, and compromised checkout pages can all put your credit card details at risk, sometimes without you realizing it. That's why extra protection matters just as much as a great deal.

Luckily, one of the best VPNs, Surfshark, has a handy tool that warns you if your details have been leaked, allowing you to take action as soon as possible.

Surfshark Alert acts as an early-warning system, scanning massive databases of leaked information to see if your details appear in a breach. If it spots your card number, email address, or ID data online, you'll get an instant notification so you can lock down your accounts before any damage is done. It's a simple safeguard for a hectic shopping season.

What is Surfshark Alert?

Surfshark Alert is a data breach detection tool built into its Surfshark One and One+ plans. It continuously scans databases of leaked information, including email addresses, passwords, credit card details, and other personal identifiers, to see if any of your data has been exposed online.

If a match is found, you'll receive an instant alert so you can act fast: change passwords, cancel cards, or contact your bank before anyone can misuse your information. The system checks millions of records in real time, helping you stay ahead of hackers and fraudsters rather than reacting after the fact.

Unlike many standalone breach checkers, Alert works as part of Surfshark's wider security suite, meaning you can combine VPN encryption, antivirus, and identity protection in one app.

(Image credit: Pixabay)

Why you should use Surfshark's Alert

Black Friday is prime time for cybercriminals. With record online traffic and billions spent in just a few days, scammers know it's the easiest moment to steal payment data.

A single compromised website or fake discount email can expose your credit card information in seconds, and by the time you notice, the damage is often done.

That's where Surfshark Alert comes in. Once activated, it monitors the dark web and other leak databases for any sign of your email address, card number, or personal details. If your data appears, you'll be notified immediately so you can freeze accounts, reset passwords, or contact your bank.

This allows you to take control of the situation and react as quickly as possible to prevent any further harm from your details being leaked.

Plus, you can get Surfshark One for just $2.19 per month ($53.19 up front pre-tax) right now thanks to its early Black Friday deal.

That's just $0.20 per month more than Surfshark Basic, which means you're paying just $6 over two years for the advanced security features Surfshark One offers. This includes Alert, as well as Avira-backed antivirus.

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