Black Friday 2026 falls on November 27, but with sales starting weeks early, Black Friday scams have started early too. Fake delivery texts, copycat stores and “too good to be true” ads all spike in November. Here are nine scams to watch for, how to spot them, and what to do if one gets you.
Quick answer: The most common Black Friday scams are phishing emails, fake delivery texts, copycat shopping sites, gift card payment requests, fake coupons and account “verification” calls. Protect yourself by going straight to the retailer’s own app or website, paying by credit card, never sharing one-time codes, and treating any request to pay with gift cards as a scam. Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Why Black Friday scams spike now
Shoppers are busy, deals are everywhere and people expect lots of order and delivery messages. That makes fake ones easy to miss. In 2024, Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, and online shopping was among the most reported categories. Scammers also now use AI to write convincing emails and even clone voices.
The 9 Black Friday scams to watch for
1. Phishing emails
Emails claiming “your payment failed” or “problem with your order” link to fake store pages that steal your login and card details. Don’t click. Open the retailer’s app or type its address yourself.
2. Fake delivery texts
Texts pretending to be USPS, UPS or FedEx ask you to pay a small “redelivery fee” or update your address. Carriers don’t ask for fees by text. Track parcels only in the retailer’s app or on the carrier’s official site.
3. Copycat websites and social ads
Fake shops copy real brands’ logos and photos, then sell nothing or send cheap fakes. CBS News reported sites impersonating IKEA, Wayfair and The North Face during Black Friday 2024. Search for the retailer yourself instead of clicking an ad, and check the web address carefully.
4. Gift card payment requests
The FTC is clear: only scammers demand payment by gift card. Another trick, “card draining,” steals the balance from cards on store shelves, so check packaging for tampering.
5. Fake discounts and hidden fees
Some sites inflate the “was” price or add fees at the last step. The FTC’s rule on unfair or deceptive fees, in force since May 2025, requires many sellers to show the full price up front. Compare the final total, not the headline discount.
6. Fake charities
Giving season brings fake charities with names close to real ones. Check a charity independently and donate through its official website, never by wire transfer, crypto or gift card.
7. Fake coupons and “free voucher” offers
Social media posts promising a free $100 voucher often lead to surveys that harvest your details or install malware. The Better Business Bureau flags new versions every year. Check offers on the retailer’s own promotions page.
8. Account “verification” calls
Someone calls claiming to be from a store or bank and asks you to read out a code sent to your phone. That code lets them log in as you. Never share a one-time code with anyone.
9. AI-powered impersonation
The Identity Theft Resource Center reports a sharp rise in impersonation scams, helped by voice cloning and deepfakes. If a “family member” or “manager” urgently asks for money, hang up and call them back on a number you trust.
How to spot a fake deal: quick checklist
| Red flag | What to do |
|---|---|
| Price far below every other store | Compare with two trusted retailers |
| Website address slightly misspelled | Close it and type the real address |
| No returns page or contact details | Don’t buy |
| Payment only by gift card, wire or crypto | It’s a scam |
| Urgent text about a delivery you don’t recognise | Check in the retailer’s app instead |
| Request to share a code sent to your phone | Refuse and hang up |
How to shop safely this Black Friday
- Pay by credit card. It gives you stronger dispute rights than debit cards or bank transfers.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for shopping, email and bank accounts.
- Use the retailer’s official app to check orders and deals.
- Keep records of order numbers, receipts and screenshots.
- Plan your purchases using real sale dates. Our Black Friday 2026 sale dates guide lists them for each major store.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
- Call your card issuer or bank straight away to block the card and request a chargeback.
- Change passwords on any account you entered on a fake site.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
- For fake delivery texts, report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report, and forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
Scams on Android TV boxes and other cheap devices are a growing problem too. Read how Google took down a botnet hidden in 1.3 million TV boxes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Black Friday scams?
Phishing emails, fake delivery texts, copycat websites, gift card payment requests and fake coupons.
How can I tell if a Black Friday website is fake?
Check the web address for misspellings, look for a real returns page and contact details, and compare the price with trusted stores. If it’s far cheaper than everywhere else, be suspicious.
Is it safer to pay with a credit card?
Generally yes. Credit cards usually give stronger fraud protection and dispute rights than debit cards, wires or gift cards.
Where do I report a Black Friday scam?
Report it to your bank, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission, FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Better Business Bureau, Identity Theft Resource Center, CBS News, Coveron (NordProtect).
