It’s that time of year when the deals are calling your name—and unfortunately, so are the scammers. This Black Friday, online shopping risks are higher than ever. Scam websites are up a shocking 89% from last year, and nearly 80% of “amazing offers” landing in your inbox are outright frauds. Even Google searches aren’t safe, with criminals sneaking dangerous links right into the results.
No wonder the FBI is stepping in with a clear warning: Be careful who you buy from this Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond. For those of us using Chrome, Safari, or Edge (a whopping 95% of U.S. browsers), the FBI’s checklist is like a cozy blanket of safety for your holiday shopping spree.
Your Holiday Shopping Survival Guide
Here’s the FBI’s seven must-know tips to avoid falling into a scammer’s trap:
- Peek at the URL before buying. Is the site secure? Look for the “https://” and that little padlock in the address bar. If something feels off, trust your gut and move on.
- Do your homework on new sites. Found an online store that looks promising? Check reviews first—but don’t stop at the first one, because scammers love fake reviews too.
- Watch out for shady sellers on marketplaces. Skip anyone with poor ratings, no feedback, or sketchy offers that seem too good to be true.
- Be wary of “authorized dealers” in odd places. Scammers often pose as official sellers in places they shouldn’t be. If their prices or locations don’t make sense, neither will their “goods.”
- Beware of overseas excuses. If a “U.S.-based” seller suddenly claims to be abroad due to a “family emergency,” you’re likely being scammed.
- Say no to unusual shipping or payment methods. Always use a credit card for an extra layer of protection. And if they’re asking for wire transfers or gift cards, it’s a hard pass.
- Keep gift cards for gifting, not paying. If a seller wants you to send them a gift card PIN, run for the hills. You’ll lose your money faster than a Black Friday doorbuster.
Scammers Are Stepping Up Their Game
Check Point researchers warn that scammers are working overtime this year. They’ve found a nearly 90% jump in fake Black Friday websites, most impersonating brands we all trust. Their tips to stay sharp include:
- Look closely at URLs—misspellings or weird domains are big red flags.
- Only shop on sites with “https://” and that padlock icon.
- Double-check email senders before clicking anything.
- Don’t scan random QR codes. Seriously, just don’t.
- Never share personal info like your Social Security number or unnecessary details like your birthday.
Some examples of scammy URLs to avoid?
- Stüssy (Steatwear): stussycanadablackfriday[.]com
- Longchamp (Bags): longchampblackfriday[.]com
- Wayfair (Online Home Store): wayfareblackfriday[.]com
- SOREL (Footwear): soreloutletblackfriday[.]com
- Crew (Retail): jcrewblackfriday[.]com
- IUN (Footwear): blackfriday-shoe[.]top
Phishing and AI: A New Level of Danger
This holiday season, phishing scams have gone high-tech. Criminals are using AI to craft emails and websites that look scarily real. Bitdefender says three out of every four Black Friday-themed emails are actually scams. They’re designed to steal your money, your data—or worse, install malware on your device.
So here’s the deal: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take a breath before you click, double-check before you buy, and let’s make this holiday season one to remember for all the right reasons—not because you got scammed.
