5 Common Black Friday Scams & How to Avoid Them
Black Friday is almost here, and while it’s the perfect time to score some amazing deals, it’s also prime season for online scams. Unfortunately, where there are shoppers, there are scammers waiting to take advantage.
In 2024, these scams are getting trickier and more convincing than ever, from fake websites to phishing emails that look like the real deal.
To help you shop safely and avoid falling victim, we’ve put together a list of five common Black Friday scams to watch out for this year. With just a few simple tips, you can keep your hard-earned cash in your wallet and get back to enjoying those holiday bargains, without the added stress.
Here’s what to keep an eye on this Black Friday.
1) Fake Shopping Websites
One of the most common scams involves fake shopping sites that closely mimic the appearance of well-known retailers. These deceptive websites often use similar domain names and lure unsuspecting shoppers with seemingly irresistible discounts.
However, once the users add items to their cart and enter their personal or bank details to check out, scammers get a hold of this data. Such online scams usually lead to financial loss and identity theft, both of which can be hard to recover from, especially during the holiday season.
How to Avoid this Scam: Vigilance is key. Make sure to always double-check the website address and look for “https” in the URL. Moreover, stick to well-known and reputable online retailers, especially during the holidays. Experts also recommend using secure payment methods, such as credit cards, that offer fraud protection.
2) Account Verification Scams
During the Black Friday frenzy, you may feel the pressure to buy items as quickly as possible to avoid losing out on discounts. While it’s a perfectly normal thing to do, it’s important to remember that cybercriminals may exploit the sense of urgency to trick you into sharing sensitive information through account verification scams.
These online scams are becoming increasingly common and can be difficult to identify. The scam typically starts with shoppers receiving emails or messages claiming an urgent need for account verification due to security reasons. When they click on the provided links, they are redirected to phishing sites designed to steal login credentials.
How to Avoid this Scam: To stay safe from these types of online scams, you should never click on suspicious links or provide personal information through unsolicited messages. Instead, log in directly on the official website or contact customer support through official channels to verify the legitimacy of any account-related notifications.
3) Fake Coupons and Vouchers
Scammers often take advantage of the excitement around Black Friday by distributing fake coupons and vouchers with tempting discounts and deals. These fake offers may arrive via email or social media, promising unbelievable offers or even free goodies.
The goal of these online scams is to lure unsuspecting shoppers into clicking on malicious links or providing personal information. Unfortunately, fake coupon scams tend to see a substantial surge during the holiday season. So, if you have recently come across any coupon or voucher that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
How to Avoid this Scam: To steer clear of this scam, you should verify the authenticity of your coupons by directly visiting the official website of the retailer. Additionally, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be weary of deals that seem overly enticing.
4) Fake Order Scams
One of the more common scams to be aware of this Black Friday is the “fake order scam.” This scam begins when you receive an email telling you that “your items are being shipped” or “your order is confirmed.” If you click any link in the email you are directed to a phishing page, a page which contains a virus, or a contact page created to look like an online retailer.
This scam is so effective for several reasons. First, almost all of us order something online. Second, the email knowingly plays into people’s urge to react and respond quickly to a perceived mistake (or scam). Finally, the scam is easy to pull off because customizing a scam page to look like an online retailer is easy to execute.
How to Avoid this Scam: Caution is your best defense. Take a moment to read through those order confirmations to ensure you don’t end up clicking on something you weren’t supposed to. You can spot fraudulent emails by looking for irregularities, misspellings, or anything suspicious.
5) Fake Delivery Notifications
Scammers cash in on the excitement of Black Friday deals with “fake delivery notifications." Shoppers may receive emails or text messages claiming to provide tracking information for a recent order. However, clicking on the provided links could lead to phishing sites or install malware on your device. It’s a common fraud, though it increases significantly during this time of the year.
How to Avoid this Scam: Diligence is your best defense. Be sure to save confirmation emails from legit purchases to reference if you receive unexpected messages about a delivery. Stay alert for warning signs such as poor grammar, spelling errors, or urgent requests.
For more on how to safeguard yourself and your finances, check out our fraud resources.