Black Friday scams usually do not work because the trick is sophisticated. They work because you are rushing for a discount, worried about stock, or too tired to inspect a link. That is when fake stores, fake delivery notices, and fake coupons appear. The FTC has long warned consumers that unfamiliar links, prices that are too low, and unusual payment methods are major warning signs of online shopping scams.［1］

If you want the basics of phishing links first, read what URL phishing is and the 6 warning signs in a link.

Use the online security guide as the baseline: it connects this risk to account, device, browser, and network hardening.

Key Takeaways

Black Friday scams use urgency, low prices, and stock anxiety to lower your guard.

The danger is not the discount itself. It is a mismatch between the link source, payment method, and seller identity.

Do not log in through unfamiliar short links in texts, social DMs, or ads.

Credit cards are usually better for online shopping disputes than bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

If you are scammed, freeze payments, change passwords, save evidence, and report to platforms and regulators.

1. Fake shopping websites: the price is too low to be normal

Fake stores imitate well-known brand pages and add extreme discounts, countdown timers, and "only a few left" pressure. The real warning signs usually appear in the domain, contact information, and checkout page.

Check for:

strange words or hyphens in the domain;
pages that only show hot products and no complete company details;
vague return policies;
payment methods limited to transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency;
many complaints when you search the seller name.

The FTC recommends searching the seller name with terms like scam, complaint, or review before paying, instead of trusting the reviews shown on the page.［1］

2. Fake delivery texts: package trouble is the bait

During shopping season, many people really are waiting for deliveries, so "package undeliverable," "wrong address," or "extra shipping fee required" can easily trigger a click.

Use simple checks:

do not click short links in texts;
open the shopping platform or carrier website yourself;
do not enter card details or verification codes on unfamiliar pages;
check whether the sender number, domain, and language look unusual.

If you often receive messages like this, read what smishing is.

3. Fake coupons and gift cards: share first, lose data later

"Fill out a survey for a huge coupon" and "share with 5 groups to get a gift card" are common hooks. The goal may not be direct payment. It may be your phone number, email, address, or account password.

Be especially careful when a page:

asks you to authorize a social account;
requests full identity details;
uses a domain that is not the brand's official site;
offers an obviously unrealistic reward;
asks for a handling fee before redemption.

4. Fake stores in social ads: polished, but no support

Ads on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Xiaohongshu, and other platforms do not prove a seller is trustworthy. Scammers can use polished creative, stolen comments, and limited-time offers to dress up a temporary store.

Before ordering:

Check the independent site domain age and brand history.
Search the store name with terms like complaint, refund, or scam.
Use a credit card or protected in-platform payment method.

5. Phishing emails: pretending to be a brand or payment platform

Around Black Friday, you may receive many "order confirmation," "payment failed," or "member discount expiring" emails.

Warning signs include:

the sender domain does not match the official brand domain;
the email pushes you to log in immediately;
an attachment claims to be an invoice or coupon;
hovering over a link shows an unfamiliar domain;
it asks for a verification code or card security code.

The FBI IC3 lists phishing/spoofing among common cybercrime categories and repeatedly warns users not to trust impersonation messages.［2］

6. Fake support and refund scams: "help" that costs more

After one scam, many people search for ways to recover money. That is when another scam appears: fake support, recovery teams, lawyers, or platform specialists claim they can get your money back, but ask for an advance fee, remote-control software, or verification code first.

Remember this rule: a real bank, platform, or law enforcement agency will not ask you to move money into a "safe account."

7. Resale and sold-out scams: hot products draw attention

Game consoles, graphics cards, phones, limited sneakers, and concert tickets are common targets for "pay first to reserve" scams.

Try to avoid:

paying privately outside the platform;
sending identity document photos to strangers;
using payment methods that cannot be reversed;
believing stories like "I am out of town, so the courier will collect payment."

The 10-second Black Friday safety check

Check	What to do
Link	Type the official site yourself or enter through the official app
Price	If it is absurdly low, search for complaints first
Payment	Prefer credit cards or protected platform payments
Account	Do not reuse passwords; enable two-factor authentication
Delivery	Confirm status only on the platform order page
Evidence	Save order, chat, and payment screenshots

If you want a broader browsing safety reset, continue with 12 practical safe browsing habits.

What should you do if a Black Friday scam gets you?

Contain the damage first. Do not keep arguing with the scammer.

Contact your bank or payment platform immediately.
Freeze the relevant card or payment method.
Change passwords for any account you entered.
Save web pages, chats, orders, and payment evidence.
Report to the shopping platform, social platform, FTC, or your local fraud reporting channel.［3］

Summary

Black Friday scams often use fake websites, delivery notices, coupons, phishing emails, and fake support.
The more tempting the price, the more carefully you should check the domain, seller history, and payment method.
Do not click unfamiliar short links, share verification codes, or pay with gift cards or transfers.
If something goes wrong, contact the payment provider first, then change passwords and report the scam.

FAQ

Is online shopping always more dangerous during Black Friday?

Not always, but scam volume and bait increase. You are more likely to skip checks when you are busy or rushed.

What is the clearest sign of a fake shopping site?

A strange domain, absurd price, vague contact details, and irreversible payment methods together are a high-risk combination.

Can I trust a store because I saw a brand ad?

No. Ad placement does not prove the seller is trustworthy. Still check the domain, review sources, and return policy.

Why are gift card payments dangerous?

Once you share the card number and PIN, the money is usually hard to recover and the recipient is hard to verify.

Can I get my money back after being scammed?

It depends on the payment method and speed of response. Credit cards and platform payments usually offer better dispute options than transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

Can a VPN prevent Black Friday scams?

A VPN cannot tell whether a seller is real, but it can protect your connection on public Wi-Fi. Link and payment checks are still essential.

Disclaimer

This article is for general cybersecurity education only and does not constitute shopping, legal, or financial advice. If you suffer an actual loss, contact your payment provider and local law enforcement or consumer protection channel promptly.

AethoVPN publishes this guide, but a VPN connection cannot resolve the issue discussed here: Black Friday scams.

Sources

FTC Consumer Advice, Shopping and donating: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/shopping-and-donating
FBI IC3, Internet Crime Report 2024: https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf
FTC, Report Fraud: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Sources checked 8 May 2026.

Related Articles:

Black Friday scams: 2026 Guide