Black Friday & Cyber Monday Scams to Watch For

The holiday rush sneaks up on you. One minute you’re pulling the roasting pan from the back of the cabinet, and the next your phone is buzzing with “early access” deals before you’ve even had breakfast. It’s a fun stretch of the season, but scammers know it’s also when people get distracted. With travel, cooking, and gift lists all happening at once, most folks click faster than they normally would.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday now spill well past a single weekend, which means the fraud attempts stretch right alongside them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, online shopping scams spike around this time, especially when shoppers feel pressured to act quickly. Knowing what’s out there makes a real difference in how safe your holiday season feels.

Why do scams increase during Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Still, the biggest reason scams flourish is simple: volume. With so many people shopping at once, scammers blend in. Retailers know how to spark urgency with those countdown clocks and “only a few left” banners, and scammers copy the look because they know it works.

You also see far more new or unfamiliar brands in November. Some are perfectly legitimate, but others pop up just long enough to take orders and vanish. When everything feels new, it’s harder to tell clean design from a clever fake. Most people just want to finish their lists, not investigate every link.

What do phishing scam emails look like?

Phishing emails are the holiday scam everyone expects, yet they’re still surprisingly effective. They tend to show up looking like shipping alerts or payment problems from places you actually shop, which is what makes them so tempting to click.

A few signs give them away. The sender’s address looks a little off, or the order number doesn’t match anything you bought. The message is always urgent, nudging you to “confirm” or “fix” something right away. And the link if you click it usually leads to a fake login page meant to capture your information. When an unexpected message appears, type the retailer’s URL into your browser instead. It takes a few seconds and saves you a lot of grief.

What are fake retail websites and how do they trick shoppers?

Here’s what usually happens. You click a beautiful ad, land on a site that looks polished, and the price seems almost too good to pass up. The branding feels familiar, the layout looks professional, and everything appears legitimate until it isn’t.

The trick is in the details. Scammers use URLs that look real at a quick glance but fall apart if you read closely. “Macys-outlet.com,” for example, isn’t Macy’s at all. The products on these sites tend to be high-demand electronics or toys things people rush to buy. Once you place an order, the site often disappears or sends something counterfeit. A quick check of the return policy, contact information, or even a search for other shoppers’ experiences can save you hundreds of dollars.

How do social-media flash-sale scams work?

Scrolling through holiday deals feels harmless enough, but social platforms are full of fast-moving ads that look far more trustworthy than they should. Scammers count on that. Glossy videos, influencer-style promotions, and “exclusive today only” sales can all mask fraudulent shops.

Occasionally the ad sends you straight to a scam store. Other times it pushes you to log in before “checking out,” which is just another way to grab credentials. Marketplace posts can be equally risky, especially when the seller wants deposits or gift-card payments. If the seller is rushing you, or the deal feels strangely dramatic, step back.

What are delivery and shipping scams?

Holiday package traffic makes these scams feel strangely believable. You’ll get a text saying a package couldn’t be delivered or that you owe a tiny fee to release it. When you’re juggling multiple orders, it’s easy to tap the link without thinking.

Legitimate carriers like UPS and USPS don’t ask for personal information through text messages. They also don’t charge random “redelivery fees.” If you get one of these alerts, open your tracking numbers through the carrier’s actual website.

Are gift card deals and promotions safe?

Most of them, unfortunately, are not. Fake discount sites promise half-price gift cards or double-balance promotions, but they rarely deliver. Scammers also love asking for payment in gift cards during marketplace sales because the money becomes untraceable the second you share the number.

The FTC has pointed out that gift cards remain one of the most common tools in fraud cases. If you want to give or use one, buy it from a store or directly from the retailer never from a random online seller.

How can you spot counterfeit products?

As gift shopping hits full swing, counterfeits slip into the mix. You’ll notice them most with electronics, cosmetics, and popular toys. Sometimes the only giveaway is flimsy packaging or pricing that seems wildly lower than everyone else’s.

Counterfeit chargers and batteries can also overheat or short-circuit, which adds a real home-safety risk. It’s the same principle behind the advice in How to Prevent Fire in Your Home small differences in quality matter. If something feels off, go with a trusted retailer instead.

What are fake shopping apps?

Fake apps appear in app stores every holiday season. They use logos and color palettes that mimic major retailers, and at first glance they seem legitimate. After a few taps, though, the app may start requesting permissions that don’t make sense, or it may ask for credit card details right away.

A reliable workaround is downloading store apps directly from the retailer’s website. It’s one extra step, but it shuts out most imposters.

Are charity scams common during the holidays?

They are, unfortunately. Scammers take advantage of people’s generosity by creating fake fundraising pages or choosing names that sound almost identical to real nonprofits. On the surface, the stories feel emotional and urgent another tactic meant to bypass your usual caution.

Real charities are transparent about who they are and where donations go. You can verify them through the IRS lookup tool or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before giving. Any organization demanding immediate payment, especially by gift card or wire transfer, is one to avoid.

How do subscription traps work?

You’ll see them advertised as “free trials” during Cyber Monday sales. They ask for a credit card to start and tuck a pricey auto-renewal into the fine print. By the time your billing cycle hits, customer service lines are jammed with other shoppers trying to cancel.

A simple reminder on your phone set for a few days before the trial ends helps you decide if the service is worth keeping or canceling.

How to shop safely during Black Friday and Cyber Monday

These habits make holiday shopping smoother, and they’re just as useful the rest of the year.

1. Verify websites before buying

Look for secure connections, correct spellings, and clear return policies. If anything feels rushed or oddly vague, leave the page.

2. Use credit cards instead of debit

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections and easier dispute processes.

3. Avoid clicking through email or social ads

If a promotion catches your eye, type the retailer’s URL directly. You stay in control that way.

4. Turn on two-factor authentication

A second verification step protects your accounts even if a scammer gets your password.

5. Monitor your transactions

Quick daily check-ins make it easier to spot suspicious charges, especially during the busy season.

6. Be cautious with extreme discounts

Most retailers don’t slash prices by 80 or 90 percent on brand-new items. If it looks unrealistic, it usually is.

7. Research new brands

A fast search for customer reviews can save you from a bad experience. The approach mirrors the broader advice in Preventing Home Injuries: Creating Awareness and Promoting Safe Practices a little checking goes a long way.

8. Avoid public Wi-Fi

If you’re traveling or shopping on the go, switch to mobile data before entering payment information.

Which groups are most targeted by holiday scams?

Different age groups face different challenges. Seniors often see tech-support scams tied to fake account issues or antivirus pop-ups. Young adults get hit with counterfeit sneaker releases, fake electronics drops, or disappearing marketplace sellers. A quick conversation with family members about these patterns can prevent a lot of trouble.

What should you do if you think you’ve been scammed?

Start with your credit card issuer they can freeze or reverse the charge. Update passwords for any affected accounts and turn on two-factor authentication across the board. Report the incident to the FTC and the FBI’s IC3 so investigators can track patterns. If sensitive information was exposed, freezing your credit adds another layer of protection.