Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year in the United States. As millions of Americans search for discounts on electronics, clothing, home appliances, and other products, online scammers are preparing to take advantage of the shopping rush.
In 2026, artificial intelligence is making some scams more convincing. Fake online stores, misleading advertisements, fraudulent product reviews, and phishing messages can look surprisingly professional.
Before purchasing anything this Black Friday, here are the most common scams to watch for and practical ways to protect your money and personal information.
1. Fake Black Friday Deals and Online Stores
One of the most common shopping scams involves websites pretending to be legitimate retailers.
Scammers create websites that imitate popular brands and advertise expensive products at unusually low prices. After customers enter their payment information, they may receive counterfeit products, nothing at all, or discover unauthorized transactions.
Be especially careful when you find:
Expensive electronics advertised at unrealistic discounts.
Websites with unusual domain names or misspelled brand names.
Online stores with no verifiable contact information.
Sellers requesting unusual payment methods.
Deals advertised through unfamiliar social media accounts.
The FBI warns consumers about online shopping fraud, including non-delivery scams in which buyers pay for products that never arrive.
According to the FBI's IC3 2025 report, non-payment and non-delivery scams caused more than $503 million in reported losses.
2. AI-Powered Shopping Scams Are Becoming More Convincing
Artificial intelligence is changing how online scams operate.
Fraudsters can use AI tools to generate professional-looking product images, convincing advertisements, fake customer reviews, and realistic customer service conversations.
This makes fraudulent stores harder to recognize than before.
Some scammers also use AI-generated videos and cloned voices to impersonate business representatives or trusted individuals.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has warned that AI-generated photos and voice cloning can make traditional scams appear more believable.
To stay safe:
Do not trust product photos alone.
Verify the seller through independent sources.
Search for the retailer's official website.
Be cautious of automated customer service accounts asking for payment information.
Never share passwords or verification codes with someone claiming to represent a retailer.
3. Fake Social Media Advertisements
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms are popular places to discover Black Friday discounts.
However, not every advertisement comes from a legitimate business.
Scammers may create fake accounts, copy real company logos, and promote attractive offers to redirect shoppers to fraudulent websites.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost $2.1 billion to scams originating on social media in 2025. Shopping scams were among the most commonly reported types.
Before purchasing through a social media advertisement, visit the retailer's official website independently rather than relying on the advertisement's link.
4. Fake Delivery Messages and Phishing Emails
During the holiday shopping season, scammers frequently send messages pretending to come from delivery companies such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
These messages may claim that a package is delayed, an address is incorrect, or a small delivery fee is required.
They often contain links to fake websites designed to collect personal and financial information.
Remember these precautions:
Do not click unexpected package-tracking links.
Check delivery information through the official shipping company's website.
Never enter credit card details to resolve an unfamiliar delivery notification.
Avoid downloading unexpected attachments.
Delete suspicious messages instead of responding.
If you are expecting a package, use the tracking number provided by the retailer.
5. How to Recognize a Fake Black Friday Deal
A discount is not necessarily a good deal. Some fraudulent sellers use unrealistic prices to pressure shoppers into making quick decisions.
Watch for these warning signs:
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Extremely low prices | May indicate counterfeit or nonexistent products |
| Countdown timers | Can create artificial urgency |
| No independent reviews | Makes seller verification difficult |
| Unusual payment requests | May reduce your ability to recover money |
| Suspicious website addresses | Could indicate an impersonation website |
| Poorly explained return policies | May make refunds difficult |
A secure HTTPS connection is important, but it does not automatically prove that an online store is legitimate.
Always verify the business itself.
6. Smart Ways to Protect Your Money During Black Friday 2026
You do not need to avoid online shopping to stay safe. A few simple habits can significantly reduce your risk.
Use trusted retailers: Purchase directly from established retailers or their official applications.
Compare prices: Check the same product across several reputable stores before accepting a discount.
Use secure payment methods: Credit cards may provide additional dispute and fraud protections compared with some alternative payment methods.
Enable account security: Use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication wherever available.
Monitor bank statements: Review your transactions regularly and contact your bank immediately if you notice suspicious activity.
Avoid public Wi-Fi for payments: Use a trusted network when entering sensitive financial information.
Think before clicking: Avoid links in unexpected emails, text messages, and social media advertisements.
7. What to Do If You Fall for a Shopping Scam
If you accidentally purchase from a fraudulent website or share your financial information with scammers, act quickly.
Contact your bank or credit card provider and report the suspicious transaction.
Ask whether the payment can be disputed or your card replaced.
Change passwords if you reused them on the fraudulent website.
Enable additional account security.
Save receipts, emails, messages, and screenshots as evidence.
Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
You can also report internet-related crimes to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/.
Quick action may help limit further financial damage.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday 2026 offers American shoppers an opportunity to save money, but it also creates opportunities for online fraud.
Fake stores, misleading advertisements, AI-generated content, and phishing messages are among the threats consumers should understand before making purchases.
The best approach is simple: verify the seller, compare prices, use trusted payment methods, and avoid deals that pressure you into acting immediately.
A few minutes of checking can help protect your money, personal information, and online accounts throughout the holiday shopping season.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Scam methods can change, and no security measure guarantees complete protection. Always consult official consumer protection resources for the latest guidance.
Official Sources and Further Reading
FBI – Holiday Scams: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/common-frauds-and-scams/holiday-scams
Federal Trade Commission – Social Media Scam Statistics: https://search.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/04/new-ftc-data-show-people-have-lost-billions-social-media-scams
U.S. Postal Inspection Service – AI-Related Scams: https://www.uspis.gov/u-s-postal-inspectors-warn-customers-to-avoid-scams-that-use-artificial-intelligence
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Warning Signs of Fraud: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-classic-warning-signs-of-possible-fraud-scams-en-2094/
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: https://www.ic3.gov/