How Can I Shop Safely On Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

by Keith Huckabay
Black Friday Cyber Monday

Top 5 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams You Must Avoid

Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring big deals and bigger scams. Learn how to spot fake online stores, phishing emails, and social media ad traps before you buy. This guide shows you how to check if a website is legit, avoid AI-powered shopping scams, and protect your money when shopping online.

1. How to Spot Fake Online Shopping Websites

Scammers create fake stores that look identical to real ones. Once you pay, they disappear.

Watch for:

  • Unrealistic discounts (like 70% off everything)
  • Misspelled domains such as amaz0n.com or nkie.com
  • No contact info or return policy
  • Gift card or wire transfer payments only
  • New websites with no reviews (check whois.com)

Example: “NikeOutletSale.shop” offers $200 shoes for $39 — they never arrive.

2. How to Identify Fake Delivery Emails and Amazon Order Scams

Scammers send messages pretending to be from Amazon, UPS, or USPS.

They want you to click links that steal your login or card details.

Signs of a fake delivery message:

  • You never placed the order
  • The sender’s email looks odd, like @amaz0n.com
  • Generic greeting such as “Dear Customer”
  • Links that lead to strange websites

Stay safe:

Do not click links. Go to your real account or official app to check your orders.

3. How to Tell If a Facebook or Instagram Shopping Ad Is Fake

Social media ads are a major scam hotspot during Cyber Monday.

Check for these red flags:

  • Brand-new accounts with few followers
  • Prices much lower than everywhere else
  • “DM to buy” or “Pay outside website” requests
  • Stock photos or AI-generated images
  • Comments turned off

What to do:
Google the store name with “scam” or “reviews” before buying.
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4. Beware of Customer Service Gift Card Scams

Scammers pretend to be from major companies and say you need to pay a small fee or security deposit with gift cards.

Fact: No legitimate business will ever ask you to pay with gift cards, Zelle, or cryptocurrency.

Common phrases in scams:

  • “Your account is locked”
  • “We need a verification payment”
  • “You won a prize, just pay the processing fee”

5. New AI Deepfake Shopping and Family Scams

Scammers now use AI to copy voices and faces.

They can pretend to be family members, influencers, or store employees.

Examples:

  • A fake “celebrity” video promoting deals
  • A “relative” calling from another country asking for emergency money
  • A “support agent” who looks real but is AI-generated

How to test it:

  • Ask them to do something specific, like wave or touch their face.
  • Set up a family code word for emergencies.

How to Check If a Shopping Website Is Safe

Use this quick safety checklist before you pay:

  • Make sure the spelling is correct
  • The site lists a real address and phone number
  • A clear return policy is visible

Best payment methods:

  • Credit card (best protection)
  • PayPal, Apple Pay, or Shop Pay (safe and private)

Avoid:

  • Debit card (harder to get refunds)
  • Gift cards or wire transfers (no refund possible)

How to Handle Fake Emails, Texts, and Order Problems

Never click links in messages that say:

  • “Problem with your order”
  • “Account locked, verify now”
  • “Prize waiting for you”
  • “Limited time deal, act fast”

Instead:
Type the company’s website address directly or use the official app.
How Can I Shop Safely On Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Stay safe this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Learn how to spot fake stores, phishing emails, and AI scams before you buy online.

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Black Friday Safety FAQs: How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams

I bought from a site and never got my order. How do I get my money back?

Contact your credit card company and dispute the charge.
Take screenshots of your receipts, emails, and website pages.
Report the website to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3.gov.
If you paid with PayPal, file a claim.
If you used a debit card, contact your bank immediately.

How can I check if a store is real before I buy?

Search the store name with “reviews” or “scam.”
Use ScamAdviser, ScamDetector, or BBB.org.
If the site is new or has no online presence, do not trust it.

I clicked a link in a fake email. What should I do now?

If you entered any info, change your passwords right away.
Call your bank or card provider to watch for fraud.
Run a virus scan on your computer or phone.
Do not click more links from that sender.

I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace. Can I get my money back?

If you paid through Facebook Checkout, file a claim in your orders section.
If you sent money with Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo, contact your bank fast.
You can also report the seller’s profile and post to Facebook.

I entered my card details on a fake website. Can scammers use it?

Yes, they can.
Call your bank and cancel the card immediately.
Ask for a new card with a different number.
Monitor your account for the next few weeks.

I got a call from “Amazon Support.” Is it real?

No.
Amazon never calls customers to verify accounts or payments.
If you get a call like that, hang up and log in to Amazon directly.

Can scammers hack me if I only clicked a link?

Usually not, unless you downloaded something or entered info.
Still, clear your browser history, scan for malware, and reset passwords for safety.

I paid with Zelle or Cash App to a seller and they disappeared. What now?

Report it to your bank immediately.
Zelle and Cash App payments are hard to recover, but fast reporting helps.
File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How to tell if an influencer deal or video is fake

Check the influencer’s real account.
Scammers copy photos and make fake accounts that look identical.
Look at their followers, comment sections, and account age.

How do I verify if a store on TikTok Shop or Instagram Shop is real?

Look for “verified seller” badges and check if they have real customer videos or reviews.
If the profile is brand new or posts only promotional content, skip it.

Quick Safety Checklist for Black Friday Shoppers

✅ Use a credit card for all online purchases.
✅ Double-check URLs before you enter info.
✅ Look for https:// and padlock icon.
✅ Compare prices on multiple trusted sites.
✅ Read the return policy before buying.
✅ Screenshot every order confirmation.

❌ Never pay with gift cards or crypto.
❌ Do not click on links from texts or emails.
❌ Do not rush because of countdown timers.
❌ Do not shop on public WiFi.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring real discounts, but also thousands of fake ones.
Take 30 seconds to double-check before you buy.

Remember:

  • If the deal looks too good, it is fake.
  • Real companies never pressure you.
  • Always go to the official website yourself.

Stay alert, trust your instincts, and enjoy the real deals safely.

Author Bio

Keith Huckabay

Keith Huckabay is a highly motivated Marketing Director with over 14 years of expertise in crafting cost-effective solutions across television, print, radio and digital media. His innovative approach and creative design skills consistently deliver measurable results. Keith shares his marketing knowledge to help credit union members grow their businesses. He empowers small business owners with practical strategies and insights, ensuring they thrive and achieve lasting financial success.

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