Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, offering consumers massive discounts and deals in stores and online. While it’s an excellent opportunity to snag bargains, it’s also a prime time for scammers to exploit eager shoppers. Identifying and avoiding these scams can save you from financial loss and keep your personal information secure.
Last year alone, consumers lost over $8.8 billion to online fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scam attempts always spike around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But don’t worry – we’ll show you exactly how to spot these tricks and shop safely.
Common Black Friday scams to watch out for
To protect yourself this Black Friday, you should be watching out for the following scams:
Those too-good-to-be-true emails
You know the ones – “90% OFF EVERYTHING!” screams the subject line from what looks like Amazon or Best Buy. The email appears perfect, down to the logo and formatting. But here’s the catch: clicking that “amazing deal” link could lead you to a fake website that steals your credit card information.
Real-life example: According to Target’s security team, scammers frequently create fake Target websites during Black Friday, often using similar-looking domain names and copied logos to trick shoppers. The FTC reports that retail impersonation scams increase 75% during the holiday shopping season.
How to protect yourself:
- Hover over (don’t click!) email links to preview the real URL
- Look for spelling mistakes or unusual sender addresses (like amazon-deals@gmail.com)
- Type the store’s web address directly into your browser instead of clicking email links
Social media shopping traps
That Facebook ad showing the exact gadget you’ve wanted at half price? It might be a scammer using stolen photos to lure you in. Social media platforms are flooded with fake stores during Black Friday, and many disappear after collecting payments.
Warning signs:
- Brand new accounts with no customer reviews
- Prices that seem impossibly low
- Poor-quality product photos (often stolen from legitimate sites)
- Pressure tactics like “Only 2 left!” or “Offer expires in 10 minutes!”
Gift card scams
“Buy a $500 gift card for just $100!” Sound familiar? During Black Friday, scammers flood the market with discounted gift card offers that would race any bargain hunter’s heart. But here’s the harsh truth: according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, gift card scams cost Americans over $148 million last year alone.
Real scam scenario: Sarah thought she’d found the perfect deal: $200 Apple gift cards selling for $50 each on a scam Facebook Marketplace post. After sending payment through Zelle, the “seller” disappeared, and the gift cards were either fake or already used.
Smart shopping tips:
- Only buy gift cards directly from authorized retailers
- Never purchase “discounted” gift cards from individuals online
- Check gift card balances immediately after purchase
- Keep your receipt until you’re sure the card works
- Never send gift cards in the mail
The Wi-Fi danger zone
That “Free_Mall_WiFi” network might be more dangerous than you think. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cybercriminals increasingly target holiday shoppers through fake Wi-Fi networks, particularly during major shopping events like Black Friday.
Here’s a real scenario documented by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): At a major shopping center, criminals set up a fake network named “Mall_Official_WiFi” right next to the legitimate “Mall_Guest_WiFi” network. Shoppers connecting to this fraudulent network unknowingly exposed their data to criminals who could intercept their online activities.
Why public Wi-Fi is particularly dangerous during Black Friday:
- Crowded networks make it harder to identify suspicious activity
- Shoppers are more likely to make impulse purchases without checking network security
- Criminals know people are actively entering credit card information
- The rush to catch deals makes shoppers less cautious about security
According to cybersecurity firm Norton, hackers can easily create “evil twin” networks using less than $100 worth of equipment. These fake networks can intercept:
- Login credentials for shopping sites
- Credit card information
- Banking passwords
- Personal messages and emails
- Browsing history
How to protect yourself while shopping:
Instead of relying on public Wi-Fi, consider these safer alternatives:
- Use your phone’s mobile data connection
- Set up a personal hotspot from your smartphone
- Wait to make purchases until you’re on a secure network
If you absolutely must use public Wi-Fi, take these precautions:
- Verify the network name with store staff
- Install a reputable VPN for public Wi-Fi before your shopping trip
- Never access banking apps or financial websites
- Enable your device’s firewall
- Disconnect as soon as you’re done
Read our guide on how to use public Wi-Fi safely for more information.
The shipping scam shuffle
The United States Postal Inspection Service reported a 600% increase in shipping-related scams during the 2022 holiday season. These scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals now using AI-generated messages that look remarkably legitimate.
Real case study: In December 2022, a widespread scam targeted Black Friday shoppers with convincing SMS messages claiming to be from FedEx. The messages stated that a package couldn’t be delivered due to “insufficient address information” and required immediate action. The link led to a perfect clone of the FedEx website, complete with tracking numbers and order details. However, the site was designed to harvest credit card information and personal data. Similar Amazon driver text and UPS driver text scams have happened in recent years.
How to verify legitimate shipping communications:
- Check the original order confirmation for the genuine tracking number
- Look up tracking numbers directly on carrier websites
- Call the retailer’s customer service using the number from their official website
- Never provide credit card information for “redelivery fees”
- Be suspicious of urgent deadlines or threats about package cancellation
The social media marketplace maze
Social media platforms have become a prime hunting ground for scammers. Meta (formerly Facebook) reported removing approximately 1.5 billion fake accounts in just the third quarter of 2022, many of which could potentially be used for various scams, including those targeting holiday shoppers.
Typical social media scam patterns:
- Flash sale scams: Extremely short-time offers that pressure you to buy immediately
- Counterfeit product listings: Fake luxury items at suspiciously low prices
- Bait-and-switch tactics: Advertising one product but sending something completely different
- Pyramid scheme “deals”: Requiring you to recruit others to get the advertised price
- Fake influencer promotions: Using stolen or AI-generated content to promote scam products
How legitimate retailers behave on social media:
- They have a consistent posting history throughout the year
- Their profile information includes valid contact details
- They engage regularly with customer comments
- They have authentic customer reviews with detailed feedback
- Their website has a secure checkout process
Payment protection strategies
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recommends these additional safety measures for Black Friday shopping:
1. Credit cards over debit cards:
- Credit cards offer better fraud protection
- Disputes are easier to file
- Your bank account isn’t directly exposed
2. Virtual credit card numbers:
- Many banks now offer this service
- Creates temporary card numbers for online shopping
- Limits potential exposure if compromised
3. Payment apps and digital wallets:
- Use verified services like PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay
- Enable all available security features
- Avoid using personal payment features in apps like Venmo or PayPal for purchases, as they lack buyer protection and can leave you vulnerable to scams
Remember: A moment of caution can prevent weeks or months of dealing with fraud recovery. When in doubt, step back and verify before making any purchase, especially during the Black Friday shopping frenzy.
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