Top Black Friday Scams and How to Avoid Them

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, offering shoppers the chance to get great deals both in stores and online. The excitement of finding bargains attracts millions of consumers, but it’s also a magnet for fraudsters.

Last year shoppers in the US lost millions on Black Friday and Cyber Monday due to various scams. With financial losses piling up, shoppers are questioning whether Black Friday is still worth the hype. According to a recent PissedConsumer survey, only 26% of shoppers believe it’s relevant, however, it’s still one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year. 

If you’re one of the Black Friday stans, you should be vigilant to prevent unwanted expenses during your holiday shopping.

Key Insights:

• Black Friday's widespread popularity makes it a prime target for scammers.
• Nearly 34 million Americans fall victim to scams during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
• Common Black Friday scams involve fraudulent promotions, such as fake emails from major retailers offering gift cards or prizes.

Black Friday Email Scams

Fake emails are one of the most popular ways scammers use to steal your money or personal information, so it’s crucial to be aware of potential traps.

Fake coupons and vouchers

If you have received an email that claims to include heavily discounted coupons, always be cautious. Even better, it is strongly advised not to open it at all, especially if you have not signed up to receive Black Friday email alerts from a specific retailer. After all, they often end up in your spam folder for a reason.

These fake coupons can look convincing, but there’s usually a sign that something is wrong, like a strange URL that doesn’t match the official retailer’s website. But if you watch closely you will notice an odd XYZ URL that is definitely not associated with Target company.

Malware can also be embedded in images within the email, so it’s essential to have up-to-date antivirus software. As a precaution, adjust your email settings so images don’t download automatically. If you do open such an email, resist clicking on any links, no matter how tempting the offer may seem.

Fake delivery notifications

This common Black Friday scam tricks consumers into thinking a package can’t be delivered. Scammers may pose as UPS, FedEx, or USPS, asking you to verify a tracking number or click a link to rearrange delivery. If you're not expecting a package, this is a clear red flag. You also should know that shipping companies do not email customers for undeliverable packages. 

The following example comes from UPS, although scammers send fake emails from all of the major delivery services. The email notifies the customer that customs have blocked a package and asks them to click a link to resolve the issue.

Source: cyberguy.com

Scammers often send fake emails from major delivery services, asking for personal information or installing malware. To stay safe, avoid clicking links and go directly to the retailer’s or shipping company’s website. USPS has warned customers about these deceptive emails and texts, advising them to “Don’t click the link!”

Refund scams

Scammers may send emails claiming you're eligible for a refund, often posing as popular online stores, or hotels. To spot a scam, check the subject line. If you haven’t returned anything, it's likely a scam. Legitimate refund emails usually contain specific details, not vague phrases like "Wrong Transaction" or "Eligible for Refund." Instead, they should mention your actual order or product.

For example, a fake PayPal email might show a suspicious transaction and offer a refund link. Clicking it takes you to a fake website that collects your personal and payment details.

Black Friday Phone and Message Scams

You can get suspicious Black Friday notifications not only through email, but also via SMS or social media. So being cautious is as important as never.

Fake messages

There has been an increase in spam messages sent to cell phones. All these mysterious SMS require you to click a link for more information, verify details, or claim a refund. Naturally, they all gather your information, download malware of some kind, or scam you out of money somehow.

Source: avas.com

This scam is used to collect personal information. A user who follows the link is asked to fill in the fields with personal data in order to confirm their identity and get their refund. 

Fake products

Don't even bother considering a Black Friday deal that offers you iPads for $40 and new Samsung mobile phones for $50. Unrealistic prices (usually from online electronics stores and high-end designer clothes) are directly related to fraudulent activities. The companies offering such deals are fake online stores that have zero merchandise. The purpose of such Black Friday scams is to get a hold of your credit card information.

Facebook farming on Black Friday

This scam is commonly seen on Facebook. Scammers set up a post that requires quick action or sharing. Once you interact, scammers gain access to your account and spread the post to others.

That way, the scam gets even more exposure and the hustler collects money from pay-per-clicks. You, on the other hand, will be left with an empty pocket because when the message has reached enough people, the post or page changes, even to a different product. Such "like-farming" tactics take place year-round. 

For example, a fake post claimed Walmart was giving away a Black Friday Exclusive Pass. Users were asked to share the post, then take a survey collecting personal data, with some even asked to make purchases.

Black Friday Scams Employed by Retailers

Retailers aren’t above playing a few games of their own during Black Friday sales. There are several Black Friday scams designed to take advantage of customers in search of a great deal.

Prices stay the same

One common scam is inflating the original price, then marking it “on sale” to create the illusion of a big discount. And according to a PissedConsumer.com survey that’s the reason why 26% avoid holiday shopping.

During last year’s Black Friday, Target has faced backlash on social media for allegedly offering fake Black Friday deals, with a viral TikTok trend exposing price discrepancies. 

One example comes from DeJay Downey, who posted a TikTok video which reveals few Black Friday tags on and original prices, which are surprisingly the same.

Source: tiktok.com

Low-quality or nonexistent products

Another tactic is offering low-quality or cheaply made products that aren't really a bargain. In some cases, fake or imitation items are sold as part of special promotions. Customers also report issues with "too good to be true" deals that end up being out of stock or canceled after purchase. Website glitches during checkout can also result in missing out on the advertised discount.

Of course, there are some special promotional items that appear in stores.However, some retailers are known for promising exceptional Black Friday promotions that end up being subpar or entirely absent. For example, in the Fido review, one customer discovered this when they ordered two new phone lines:

I purchased two lines during their black Friday promotions. Only one phone was delivered.

When the customer called, she was told “there was no issue, and they would honor it.” but later they canceled the second phone. The reviewer called the whole business “very shady.”

Gift Card Scams

Gift card scams are increasingly popular as they are essentially an easy way for scammers to steal money. A scammer gets ahold of your contact information and reaches out. They then convince you to buy a gift card or several gift cards to either pay for something urgent or to avoid a terrible situation – like a blackmail situation.

Once you buy the gift cards, the scammers will ask you to take a picture of the information and send it with the number and pin on the back to them. They can then use the money on the card as they like. 

In one of the current Google reviews, a frustrated customer purchased $215 in Google Play gift cards from CVS, but the cards couldn’t be redeemed due to unclear error messages. 

So basically I just threw away $215 down the drain because those cards cannot be used apparently...  

After several unsuccessful attempts to reach Google’s customer support, they felt helpless and scammed by the experience.

I have nobody to even report it to it Google apparently because I cannot reach anybody to complain about it or to give evidence of what happened to me.

How to Avoid Black Friday Scams

Trying not to get sucked into Black Friday scams this year? Here are a few tips to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Avoid clicking links

If you only navigate directly to manufacturer’s websites or shipping websites by typing in the URL, you’ll be able to bypass many of the shady links that scammers rely on.

Buy from trusted vendors

While Black Friday shopping, buy only from retailers you know and trust. Or shop in person so that you can examine the quality of the items before buying. 

Move cautiously

Don’t get caught up in the excitement when you come across a 'too good to be true' Black Friday ad and make mistakes that would have been easy to avoid if you were looking carefully before buying. Scammers count on you rushing to act.

Read reviews and reports

There are customer reviews online that can be tremendously helpful in avoiding Black Friday scams. Entities like the Federal Trade Commission also track scams and help warn customers about shady business practices. If it seems too good to be true, do a bit of research before entering personal or financial information. 

Enjoy Scam Free Black Friday

While Black Friday offers exciting deals, fraud seems to be more elaborate and harder to spot every year. However, by staying vigilant and following simple precautions you can safely navigate holiday shopping. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert and make the most of your holiday shopping!

If you’ve had a bad experience during Black Friday shopping, consider writing a review on PissedConsumer. Your story can help others stay informed and avoid falling victim to similar tactics.