Black Friday is one of the most exciting shopping days of the year. Millions of people go online and in stores looking for the best deals. But while shoppers hunt for discounts, scammers are also hard at work. They use this busy time to trick people and steal money or personal information.
If you plan to shop on Black Friday, you need to know about the most common scams out there. Being aware can save you from losing hundreds of dollars or even your identity.
Why Black Friday Is a Prime Time for Scammers
Every year, billions of dollars are spent during the Black Friday shopping season. Scammers know this. They plan their tricks well in advance, setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and even approaching people in person. The rush and excitement of finding a great deal often makes shoppers less careful than usual. That is exactly what fraudsters count on.
The Most Common Black Friday Scams You Should Know
1. Fake Online Stores
One of the biggest Black Friday scams involves fake shopping websites. These sites look real. They copy the design of well-known brands, offer unbelievable discounts, and even show fake customer reviews. Once you place an order and pay, one of two things happens: you receive a cheap, low-quality item, or nothing at all.
Before buying from any website, check the URL carefully. Look for “https” and a padlock icon. Search for reviews of the store on Google. If the site was created very recently or has almost no online presence, walk away.
2. Phishing Emails and Fake Deals
During the Black Friday season, inboxes get flooded with promotional emails. Scammers send emails that look like they come from real retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy. These emails contain links to fake websites where your payment information gets stolen.
Never click on links in emails unless you are 100% sure the sender is legitimate. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website by typing the URL yourself. If an email is asking you to “verify your account” or “claim a limited deal now,” that is a huge red flag.
3. Social Media Scams and Fake Giveaways
Social media platforms are full of fake Black Friday giveaways and contests. A page might promise you a free iPhone, gift card, or cash prize just for sharing a post or entering your details. These are designed to collect your personal information or to spread the scam to your friends.
Always check if the account running a giveaway is verified. Real brands will run promotions from official verified accounts. If a deal sounds too good to be true on social media, it almost certainly is.
4. Package Delivery Scams (Smishing)
With so many Black Friday orders being shipped, scammers send fake SMS messages claiming there is a problem with your delivery. The message includes a link and asks you to “confirm your address” or “pay a small fee” to release your package.
This type of scam is called smishing, and it has grown a lot in recent years. Legitimate shipping companies like FedEx, UPS, and USPS will never ask you to pay a fee via a text message link. If you get such a message, go directly to the official website of the courier and track your package there.
5. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular gift during the holiday season, but they are also a favorite tool for scammers. Fraudsters sometimes tamper with gift cards on store shelves, scratching off the protective coating to note down the card numbers, then replacing the coating. When someone buys and activates the card, the scammer drains the balance before the recipient can use it.
Always check gift cards carefully before buying. Look for any signs of tampering. Better yet, buy gift cards directly from the retailer’s official website.
6. The Brushing Scam
The brushing scam is something many people are not familiar with, but it has been rising in popularity. Here is how it works: you receive a package in the mail that you never ordered. It could be anything from cheap jewelry to random gadgets. There is no return address or just a random sender listed.
This might seem harmless or even exciting, like a free gift. But there is a real problem behind it. Scammers use your name and address (which they got from a data breach or online source) to write fake product reviews on platforms like Amazon. They have to “verify” a purchase was made and received, so they ship cheap items to real addresses and then post positive reviews under those accounts.
If you receive unsolicited packages, you should report it to the retailer platform and consider monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity. Your personal data may have been compromised without your knowledge.
7. Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals on Electronics
Scammers list popular electronics like laptops, game consoles, and smartphones at massively reduced prices on marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even fake Amazon listings. They take your payment and disappear, or they ship you a box filled with rocks or worthless items.
Always buy electronics from trusted, verified sellers. If you are buying second-hand, meet in a public place, and never pay with wire transfer or cryptocurrency since those payments cannot be reversed.
How to Protect Yourself This Black Friday
Here are some quick tips to stay safe:
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online shopping. Credit cards offer better fraud protection.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.
- Keep your antivirus software updated.
- Double-check every URL before entering payment information.
- Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
(FAQs)
Q1: How do I know if a Black Friday deal is a scam?
If the price seems way too low, the website looks poorly made, or you are being pressured to buy quickly, it is likely a scam. Always research the seller before purchasing.
Q2: What should I do if I already got scammed on Black Friday?
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge. Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and change your passwords if you shared any login information.
Q3: Is the brushing scam dangerous?
While receiving a free package is not directly harmful, it means someone has your personal information. You should check your credit report, monitor your accounts, and report it to the platform where the fake review was posted.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday is a great time to save money, but it is also the busiest season for scammers. Staying informed is your best defense. Share this guide with your friends and family so everyone can shop safely this holiday season. A little caution goes a long way when protecting your money and personal information.
