Beware: Black Friday Scams

November 18, 2025

In anticipation of the year’s busiest shopping day, scammers employ a variety of deceptive tactics designed to exploit eager shoppers, continually adapting their schemes to stay ahead of detection.

From fake online stores advertising bogus discounts to scammers sending fraudulent delivery notifications during the busy shopping season, consumers face plenty of risks to watch out for. The rise of deceptive scams during the holidays highlights the many tactics fraudsters use to exploit consumers and dampen the festive spirit. The following provides an overview of prevalent scams and guidance on how consumers can protect themselves during their shopping activities.

Fake Online Stores

One of the most common scams cybercriminals will establish are fake shopping sites that mimic real sites of well-known retailers. These deceptive websites often imitate legitimate domain names and lure unsuspecting shoppers with seemingly irresistible discounts. To enhance their credibility, they frequently run fake social media ads that direct victims to counterfeit pages, adding a false sense of legitimacy to the scam.

Once shoppers enter their personal information and check out, scammers receive the personal data, which usually involves banking details. These scams can lead to financial loss and identity theft, which can affect people more severely during the holiday season.

How to Protect Yourself:

Double check website URLS.
Visit retailers’ official websites, rather than clicking an unaffiliated link.
If possible, use secure payment methods that offer fraud protection.

Phishing Emails and Texts Offering “Exclusive Deals”

With the rise in online shopping, promotional emails are utilized by most stores to promote their Black Friday sales. Darktrace’s global analyst team revealed that Christmas-themed phishing attacks for Black Friday and Cyber Monday “deals” soar throughout the month of November (over 600%!).

To capitalize on this, one method used by cybercriminals is sending phishing emails promoting “exclusive offers” or “limited-time flash sales”. The emails typically contain links to malicious sites that steal personal information and can infect your device with malware. These emails can also lead to fake stores, as mentioned above. An additional example includes emails claiming a user’s account is “locked or disabled”.

How To Protect Yourself:

Ensure the sender has a trusted email address, showing the correct domain.
Trust your instincts if the message seems “off” and possibly written by AI.
Do not give any personal information via email, the majority of retailers would not require this information via email correspondence.

Online Order and Delivery Scams via Text Messaging

In recent years scammers have begun sending fake text messages that claim to be from carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS stating there is an issue with deliveries. These messages include a fake tracking link that if clicked puts your data at risk. The links may prompt you to a site to enter your personal data or could install malware onto your phone or computer.

With most holiday shopping being online, these types of scams may increase throughout the holiday season. According to the FCC “If you receive suspicious email, text or phone messages, go to the delivery carrier’s website directly or use the retailer’s tracking tools to verify”. Carriers also offer advice and protocols on their websites with things to look out for and ways they legitimately contact individuals.

How To Protect Yourself:

If there is any doubt of validity contact the company directly.
Verify independently, this can be done by going to the carrier’s website.
Do not reply or click on any links.

Fraudulent Charity Appeals

Traditionally, the Tuesday following Black Friday is known as Giving Tuesday, when non-profits and charities intensify their outreach efforts to meet seasonal fundraising goals. When donating during the holiday season, it’s important to exercise caution before giving to any charity online. Just as scammers create fake online stores, they also design fraudulent charity websites that imitate legitimate organizations to steal money and collect personal information.

Additionally, scammers may reach out through unsolicited phone calls, using high-pressure tactics to push victims into making quick donations. They often refuse to provide clear or detailed information and may insist on unconventional payment methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers.

How To Protect Yourself:

Prior to donating, research the charity.
Donate directly through the charity or organizations website.
Don’t let scammers rush you in to donating.

Conclusion

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shopping fraud ranked as the second most prevalent form of fraud in 2024, with consumers losing more than $12.5 billion. Within this category, online shopping issues represented the second most commonly reported type of fraud. The report from the FTC claims the overall number of scams has remained relatively stable, but more individuals are becoming victims. This indicates that scams are evolving and becoming increasingly difficult to recognize.

If you fall victim to a scam, remember to protect your finances, contact your bank or credit company, and monitor financial accounts for further suspicious activity. The most important thing for victims to remember is that scams can happen to anyone — and there’s no shame in taking extra precautions. The best defense against Black Friday scams is to stay alert and verify retailers before interacting or making a purchase. By following these steps and keeping this advice in mind, you’ll set yourself up for a safe and successful Black Friday, ensuring your holiday gifts bring only joy this season.