Black Friday Scams Are Everywhere – Here Are the 5 Best Ways to Stay Safe

As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, Black Friday reigns supreme as the go-to day for scoring unbeatable deals. However, while consumers are eager to fill their carts with must-have gadgets and gifts at the lowest prices, cybercriminals are gearing up for an entirely different shopping spree—stealing unsuspecting shoppers’ money and personal information through scams. Black Friday scams are more prevalent than ever in 2025, and understanding how to navigate this minefield is crucial for staying safe.

This article outlines the most common scams you might encounter during the Black Friday season and shares the five best ways to protect yourself while shopping. With a little preparation and vigilance, you can enjoy the thrill of the hunt for bargains without falling victim to fraud.

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Why Are Black Friday Scams Increasing?

Black Friday has evolved from long queues and crowded malls to a digital extravaganza, thanks to the explosion of online shopping. While this evolution makes shopping more convenient, it also provides fertile ground for scammers to exploit. Cybercriminals capitalize on people’s desire for quick, rock-bottom deals, bombarding them with fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent advertisements.

The problem is exacerbated by consumers being less discerning—they often rush to purchase items they think are on sale without taking time to verify the legitimacy of offers. Paired with the sheer volume of online transactions during Black Friday, this creates a prime opportunity for attackers to get away with their schemes unnoticed.

Here’s how you can identify these sketchy operations and arm yourself against them.

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The 5 Best Ways to Stay Safe During Black Friday 2025

Black Friday scams take various forms, ranging from counterfeit websites to phishing attacks and fake social media giveaways. Protecting yourself requires a mix of proactive strategies, vigilance, and reliable tools. Below are five tried-and-true methods for safeguarding your shopping experience this holiday season.

#### 1. Double-Check Website Authenticity Fake e-commerce websites are a common tactic scammers use. These sites often mimic reputable brands to trick shoppers into entering their payment information. If you rush to grab a deal without verifying the website’s authenticity, you might end up losing both your money and personal information.

How to ensure website authenticity:

• Look for HTTPS in the website URL (indicated by the padlock symbol).

• Verify the domain name; scammers often create URLs that are slightly misspelled versions of popular brands (e.g., Amazonn-shop.com instead of Amazon.com).

• Search for customer reviews about the site. If you can’t find any or spot negative feedback about scams, steer clear.

• Avoid clicking on email links to deals—always type the store’s URL into your browser instead.

#### 2. Avoid Suspicious Email and Text Links Black Friday is prime phishing season, meaning fake emails packed with too-good-to-be-true offers abound. These emails often claim you’ve won a product or promote a massive discount to manipulate you into clicking on malicious links.

Steps to prevent falling for phishing scams:

• Check the sender’s email address. Scammers might use addresses that look legitimate, but they’ll often contain subtle anomalies like extra characters or misspellings (e.g., support@paypallsecure.com).

• Hover over links to see where they’ll direct you before clicking. If the URL looks odd or doesn’t match the branding, avoid it.

• Avoid downloading attachments from unsolicited emails.

#### 3. Monitor Social Media Ad Campaigns and Giveaways Social media platforms are brimming with Black Friday promotions, but many of these are fake. Fraudsters use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post ads for fake giveaways or “exclusive” deals, urging users to click links, provide personal information, or make payments.

How to navigate social media safely:

• Verify the seller’s reputation by checking their account history or reading reviews.

• If the deal seems unrealistic (e.g., a high-end gadget for 90% off), it’s likely fraudulent.

• Avoid sharing sensitive information or payment details through sites that redirect from social media posts.

#### 4. Use Secure Payment Methods Cybercriminals thrive on shoppers using insecure payment methods like money transfers or debit cards. With these payment types, recovering lost funds is often impossible if you fall victim to fraud.

Smart payment strategies:

• Use credit cards or PayPal for online transactions since these methods often have robust fraud protection and chargeback options.

• Avoid direct bank transfers or prepaid gift cards, which scammers can easily exploit.

• Enable two-factor authentication on accounts tied to your financial institutions to prevent unauthorized transactions.

#### 5. Employ Online Security Tools In today’s fast-paced world of digital shopping, relying solely on manual efforts to stay safe from Black Friday scams isn’t enough. Fortunately, security tools can provide an added layer of protection.

Top security measures include:

• Install and update antivirus software on all devices. These programs can detect and block malicious links or malware.

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for added privacy, especially when shopping on public Wi-Fi or unfamiliar networks.

• Activate fraud alerts with your bank and regularly monitor your account for suspicious activity during the holiday season.

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Common Types of Black Friday Scams to Watch For

In addition to the tips outlined above, it’s helpful to recognize specific scam tactics you could encounter while navigating holiday deals. These include:

• Fake storefronts: Copycat websites that appear legitimate but have no actual products to sell.

• Phishing emails: Fraudulent messages urging you to click bogus links or download malware-infected attachments.

• Non-delivery scams: Sellers on marketplaces who promise products but never deliver after receiving payment.

• Bait-and-switch offers: Scammers advertise one product but send another—usually a cheap knockoff or defective version.

• Coupon codes for “activation fees:” Pretend discounts that require payment upfront to “unlock” savings.

Understanding these methods helps you stay ahead of the game when shopping online.

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Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Shop Smart

The convenience of Black Friday shopping should never come at the expense of your financial security. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cunning, which means shoppers must adopt a more discerning attitude during the holiday season. By following the key safety tips outlined in this post, you can focus on scoring great deals without falling into traps.

Let’s recap the five steps:

• Double-check website authenticity.

• Avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or texts.

• Stay critical of social media ads promising unrealistic deals.

• Use secure payment methods like credit cards and PayPal.

• Strengthen your defenses with antivirus software, fraud alerts, and VPNs.

The holidays are meant to be joyful, not stressful. With a proactive and cautious shopping approach, you can enjoy Black Friday deals while staying two steps ahead of scammers. Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe, and happy shopping!