$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
black friday fake deal scam
Scammers create fake online stores or social media ads offering impossibly low Black Friday prices on popular electronics and brand-name goods, then steal payment information or ship counterfeit items.
“holiday shopping scam”
→ 0%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers register domains that mimic popular retailers or create new brands, then flood social media with ads featuring unrealistically low Black Friday prices.
2
Shoppers who place orders either receive nothing, counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen.
3
The fake stores disappear within days of Black Friday, making chargebacks and refunds nearly impossible.
What to do first
Verify deals by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking social media ads.
Related terms
fake Black Friday storeBlack Friday phishing dealHoliday shopping scamsWebsiteStableOnline shoppersBargain huntersYoung adultsTech workers and developersCreators and online sellersEducators and studentsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Black Friday storeBlack Friday phishing deal
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Daniel, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate holiday shopping scams situation while using Website. Scammers register domains that mimic popular retailers or create new brands, then flood social media with ads featuring unrealistically low Black Friday prices.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Shoppers who place orders either receive nothing, counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The fake stores disappear within days of Black Friday, making chargebacks and refunds nearly impossible.
The outcome
Daniel realized something was wrong when prices are 70-90% below retail with no credible explanation. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify deals by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking social media ads. Daniel's experience shows why prices are 70-90% below retail with no credible explanation and website was registered within the last 30 days and has no verifiable contact information are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Prices are 70-90% below retail with no credible explanation
- Website was registered within the last 30 days and has no verifiable contact information
- Only accepts payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify deals by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking social media ads.
- ✓Use a credit card for purchase protection and monitor your statements for unauthorized charges.
- ✓Report fake stores to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the BBB Scam Tracker.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Better Business Bureau reported a 30% spike in fake online store complaints during the 2024 Black Friday weekend, with median losses of 100 dollars per victim.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify deals by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking social media ads.
- ✓Use a credit card for purchase protection and monitor your statements for unauthorized charges.
- ✓Report fake stores to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the BBB Scam Tracker.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Better Business Bureau reported a 30% spike in fake online store complaints during the 2024 Black Friday weekend, with median losses of 100 dollars per victim.
BBB Scam Tracker 2024 Holiday Report
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Bargain hunters, Young adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Website — Holiday shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The ongoing nature of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Better Business Bureau reported a 30% spike in fake online store complaints during the 2024 Black Friday weekend, with median losses of 100 dollars per victim.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2024 Holiday Report
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about black friday fake deal scam
How does the black friday fake deal scam work?+
Scammers register domains that mimic popular retailers or create new brands, then flood social media with ads featuring unrealistically low Black Friday prices. Shoppers who place orders either receive nothing, counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen. The fake stores disappear within days of Black Friday, making chargebacks and refunds nearly impossible.
What are the warning signs of black friday fake deal scam?+
Prices are 70-90% below retail with no credible explanation Website was registered within the last 30 days and has no verifiable contact information Only accepts payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
What should I do if I encounter black friday fake deal scam?+
Verify deals by going directly to the retailer's official website rather than clicking social media ads. Use a credit card for purchase protection and monitor your statements for unauthorized charges. Report fake stores to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the BBB Scam Tracker.
Who is most at risk for black friday fake deal scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Bargain hunters, Young adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is black friday fake deal scam still active?+
black friday fake deal scam is currently on our watch list. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.