Black Friday scams: how to shop safely
Black Friday can be a great time to find a deal, but it can also be a busy time for scammers. With so many offers, emails, adverts and websites competing for your attention, it can be easy to make a quick purchase without checking whether a deal is genuine.
A few simple checks can help you spot potential scams and shop with more confidence.
Quick summary
- Check the website before entering your personal or payment details.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Don't feel pressured to buy because of a countdown or "limited time" offer.
- Be careful with links in unexpected emails, texts and social media messages.
- Compare prices with other well-known retailers.
- Check what you're paying for and who you're paying before completing your purchase.
- If something doesn't feel right, stop and check before you buy.
What are Black Friday scams?
Black Friday scams are attempts to trick shoppers into handing over money or personal information by pretending to offer genuine products or discounts.
Scammers know that shoppers are looking for deals, so they may use realistic-looking websites, social media adverts, emails or text messages to make an offer seem genuine.
Some scams can be difficult to spot at first glance. A website might look professional, a product might have hundreds of reviews, or a discount might appear to come from a well-known retailer.
That's why it's worth taking a moment to check before you buy.
How to spot a Black Friday scam
Check the website address
Before buying, look carefully at the website address. Scammers can create websites that look very similar to genuine retailers, sometimes using small changes to the name or address.
Look for “https://” at the start of the website address and a padlock icon in your browser's address bar. These show that the connection between your device and the website is encrypted. However, they don't guarantee that the website is genuine, so always check the website address carefully and make sure you're buying from the retailer's official website.
If you've found an offer through an advert, email or social media post, consider going directly to the retailer's official website instead of clicking the link.
Be careful with deals that seem too good to be true
A big discount can be tempting, especially during Black Friday. But an unusually low price can be a warning sign.
Before buying, compare the price with other established retailers. If several retailers are selling the same product for £500 and you find it for £50 elsewhere, take a moment to check why.
Don't let a countdown rush you
Messages such as "last chance", "only two left" or "offer ends in 10 minutes" are designed to create urgency.Don't let a countdown stop you from carrying out basic checks. Taking a few minutes to make sure you're buying from a genuine retailer could save you much more later.
Watch out for unexpected emails and texts
You may receive messages claiming to be from a retailer, delivery company or payment provider.
Be cautious if you're asked to click a link, provide personal information or make an unexpected payment. If you're unsure, contact the company using details from its official website rather than replying to the message.
Check reviews from more than one source
Reviews can be useful when deciding whether to buy from a retailer, but don't rely on them alone.
Look at reviews from different sources and check whether the retailer has a history of selling products. Be particularly cautious if a website has only a small number of very recent reviews.
How to shop safely on Black Friday
You don't need to avoid Black Friday altogether. A few simple habits can help you shop more safely:
- Start with a retailer you know – if possible, shop directly through a retailer's official website or app.
- Compare the deal – check the price with other retailers before assuming you've found a bargain.
- Check the details – make sure you understand what you're buying, the total price, delivery costs and any terms that apply.
- Take your time – don't make a purchase simply because you're worried the offer will disappear.
- Check before you pay – before confirming your purchase, check the retailer, amount and payment details.
Black Friday can be a good opportunity to find something you've been looking for at a lower price. Just remember that a discount doesn't need to be claimed immediately.
Take a moment to check the retailer, compare the price and make sure you're comfortable before you pay. If something doesn't feel right, it's OK to walk away.
What should you do if you think you've been scammed?
If you've paid for something and think you may have been scammed, act quickly.
Contact your bank or card provider as soon as possible and explain what happened. Keep any emails, messages, receipts or screenshots that may be useful.
If you used your IKEA Family credit card to make a payment and think you've been scammed, contact us as soon as possible.
For more information about fraud, how to protect yourself and how to contact us, visit our fraud awareness page.
Written by a fintech content specialist, reviewed for UK consumers.
