Black Friday: 15 Cybersecurity Scams to Be Aware Of

Black Friday kicks off the biggest shopping surge of the year, and also the biggest spike in cybercrime. With millions of shoppers hunting for deals, creating accounts, and clicking “Buy Now” under pressure, attackers take advantage of the urgency, fatigue, and sheer transaction volume. Scammers know that people are distracted, businesses are overloaded, and security shortcuts get taken in the rush. 

This guide breaks down the 15 most common Black Friday scams, how they work, and what shoppers and businesses can do to stay safe. 

From lookalike websites to deepfake endorsements, these threats evolve every year, but with the right awareness and controls, most of them can be avoided entirely. 

Black Friday Scams Focused on Website and Login Compromises

1. Website Spoofing (Lookalike Sites)

Cybercriminals create perfect-looking clones of popular retailer websites using homoglyphs, characters that visually mimic real ones (such as swapping “o” with “0”). These sites trick users into entering their login credentials, payment details, or full credit card information. 

2. Typo squatting

One quick typo, like “BestBuys.com” instead of “BestBuy.com,” can lead to a malicious site designed to steal data or install malware. Attackers register these lookalikes, knowing shoppers are rushing and unlikely to double-check URLs. 

3. Credential Stuffing & Account Takeover (ATO)

Because so many people reuse passwords across accounts, attackers test stolen credentials en masse to break into retailer logins. Once inside, they can make purchases, harvest personal data, or change delivery addresses. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the most effective defense. 

4. Browser-in-the-Browser Phishing

An advanced scam where a fake login box appears inside your browser tab, looking exactly like a legitimate retailer’s authentication page. Victims believe they’re logging into the real site, but are actually handing over credentials to attackers! 

Black Friday Scams Delivered via Email, Text, and Advertising 

1. Phishing & Smishing (Email/SMS Scams)

These messages impersonate retailers, banks, or shipping carriers with claims like: 

• “Your delivery is delayed.” 

• “Your payment method failed.” 

• “Your account has been locked.” 
  The links usually lead to credential theft or malware.

2. Malvertising & SEO Poisoning

Fraudulent ads appear at the top of search results with “too good to be true” deals. Clicking the ad can redirect users to malware-infected websites or phishing pages, even if the ad appears to come from a well-known brand.

3. Fake Loyalty & Reward Scams

Attackers fake reward program emails or texts with claims like expiring points or bonus credits. The goal is to lure users into logging in on a fake website so attackers can steal loyalty accounts, which often store credit card information.

4. AI-Powered Deepfake Endorsements

Deepfake videos or AI-generated voice ads impersonate celebrities or influencers endorsing unbelievable deals. These are becoming harder to detect as scammers use AI to mimic faces and voices with alarming accuracy. 

Black Friday Scams Involving Mobile Devices and Physical Interaction

1. Malicious Mobile Shopping Apps

Fake apps on unofficial app stores look like real retail apps but are designed to harvest passwords, payment data, or personal info. Once installed, they often run silently in the background.

2. Rogue Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

Attackers set up fake hotspots in malls, airports, or coffee shops. When victims connect, attackers intercept everything from browsing activity to login credentials using Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks.

3. QR Code Phishing (Quishing)

Scammers place fraudulent QR codes over legitimate ones, directing users to malicious pages or apps. These attacks spike during the holidays as shoppers scan codes for menus, coupons, or promotions.

4. Digital Wallet & P2P Payment App Scams

Fake refund notifications or “payment verification” messages trick consumers into sending money through apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. Once sent, these payments are nearly impossible to recover. 

Black Friday Scams Exploiting Social Engineering and Fear 

1. “Confirm Your Shipping Address” Scam

Attackers send realistic emails pretending to be from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon, claiming there’s a delivery issue. Victims are directed to a malicious site that steals personal information or login credentials.

2. Unsolicited Gift & Brushing Scams

Victims receive unexpected packages containing malware-infected USBs, QR codes, or links urging them to “confirm receipt.” Scammers use this to gather personal data or post fake reviews on behalf of the victim.

3. “Urgent Software Update” Scareware

Pop-ups warn users about fake viruses or system failures. The “update” or “repair tool” they push installs malware, often ransomware, spyware, or credential stealers. 

Protect Your Holiday Black Friday Sales with CyberGuard Advantage 

The holidays should fuel revenue, not risk. CyberGuard Advantage helps retailers and e-commerce businesses strengthen their defenses with: 

• Cloud configuration reviews to prevent data exposure 

• Penetration testing to identify exploitable weaknesses 

• Incident response readiness for seasonal spikes 

• Payment security assessments for PCI compliance 

• AI governance services to ensure safe use of machine learning tools 

• Security awareness training tailored to Black Friday threats 

When every minute matters, our team helps you stay ahead of attackers, not scramble to recover afterwards. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Black Friday Cybersecurity Threats 

Q1: What is the single most effective defense against Account Takeover (ATO) during the holidays? 
Enable MFA on all accounts. It prevents attackers from logging in using stolen or reused passwords. 

Q2: How can I quickly check if a Black Friday website is legitimate? 
Verify the URL, look for HTTPS, check for spelling errors, and avoid clicking on ads or unsolicited links. When in doubt, navigate to the retailer’s homepage manually. 

Q3: Is it safer to shop using a credit card or a debit card, and why? 
Credit cards provide stronger fraud protection and don’t give attackers direct access to your bank account. 

Q4: What is the primary risk associated with scanning QR codes during the holiday shopping season? 
Malicious QR codes (phishing) can direct you to fake websites, install malware, or steal login credentials. 

Q5: If I fall for a phishing scam and click a link, what would be my immediate next step? 
Disconnect from the internet, change your passwords, enable MFA, and run a full malware scan. If payment information is entered, contact your bank immediately. 

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