Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, and the weeks around it are among the busiest of the year for retailers and for the scammers who imitate them. Consumer protection agencies including the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI have issued holiday shopping warnings in past seasons, and the schemes they describe tend to repeat: look-alike websites, deals that are too good to be true, unusual payment requests and fake shipping messages.

Specific loss figures for the 2026 season are not yet available. The guidance below draws on recurring advice from federal agencies and consumer reporting, and is meant to help households spot trouble before money changes hands.

Prices that seem impossible

The FBI has warned shoppers about suspicious websites and advertisements that offer brand-name merchandise at extremely low prices. A heavily discounted gaming console, designer coat or popular toy that appears only on an unfamiliar site, or in a social media ad, is a classic warning sign. Some of these sites never ship anything. Others send counterfeit goods.

Before buying from a seller that is new to you, the FTC advises researching it. Read reviews of both the product and the seller, and search the seller’s name along with words like “complaint” or “scam.” Look for reports of items that never arrived. Confirm that the business has a physical address and working customer service contact.

Check the web address and the payment method

FTC tips advise confirming that a website’s address begins with HTTPS before entering payment details. The lock symbol alone does not prove a store is legitimate, since scam sites can also use it, but a site without it should not be trusted with card information.

Payment method matters as much as the site. Consumer reports have long cautioned that a seller who insists on payment by gift card, wire transfer or a third-party payment app is a red flag. Gift cards in particular work like cash: whoever has the code controls the money, and by the time a victim realizes there is a problem, the funds are typically gone and the item never arrives. Paying with a credit card generally offers stronger dispute rights than other methods.

Fake delivery and invoice messages

Many households order gifts online, which makes them a target for fake shipping notices. Scammers send text messages or emails that claim a package could not be delivered, or that a payment failed, and urge the recipient to click a link or call a number. The links can lead to sites that collect personal and financial information or install malware.

A safer approach is to skip the link. Residents can go directly to the retailer’s official website or app, or to the carrier’s site, and enter the order or tracking number there. Keeping order confirmation emails and tracking numbers in one place makes it easier to tell a real notice from a fake.

Gift cards and charity appeals

FTC guidance asks shoppers to treat gift cards like cash, keep receipts, and buy them from sources they trust. Cards that are sold from open racks can sometimes be tampered with, so shoppers are often advised to examine the packaging for signs it has been opened.

The holidays also bring a rise in charitable appeals. Residents who want to give can verify an organization through a charity-rating site or their state attorney general’s office before donating, and should be wary of anyone who pressures them to give immediately or asks for payment by gift card or wire.

Five habits the FTC recommends

  • Plan your spending. Make a list and a budget to avoid impulse purchases, and think about how long it would take to pay off a charge.
  • Research before buying. Check reviews, warranties and any reports of non-delivery.
  • Compare prices. Weigh online and in-store prices, including shipping costs, and use rebates and coupons.
  • Keep records. Save receipts, track order numbers and return policies, check that scanned prices match advertised ones, and consider secure delivery or in-store pickup.
  • Protect personal information. Confirm HTTPS, use shopping apps with clear data policies, and avoid deals that ask for financial details that a purchase does not need.

Protecting packages and accounts

Package theft is a seasonal worry in many neighborhoods. Delivery tracking, signature requirements, delivery to a workplace or locker, and store pickup can reduce the risk. Neighbors can also agree to bring in each other’s packages when someone is away.

Accounts matter too. Using unique passwords for retail accounts, turning on two-step verification where it is offered, and reviewing bank and card statements weekly during the shopping season can catch fraudulent charges early. Many card issuers offer free text alerts for purchases.

If something goes wrong

  • Contact the card issuer or bank immediately to report unauthorized charges and ask about a dispute or chargeback.
  • If a gift card was used, contact the card company as soon as possible; it may be able to freeze any remaining balance.
  • Change passwords for any account where credentials may have been shared.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov for online fraud. A report to the state attorney general can also help.

Officials stress that victims should not feel embarrassed. Reports help investigators spot patterns, and quick action can sometimes recover money. With a few minutes of caution, shoppers can keep the holiday season focused on gifts rather than on fraud.

Sources: Federal Trade Commission tips as reported by Fox 13; WMAR 2 News (Baltimore); FBI warnings as reported by Fox 13.