Black Friday 2026: 7 Ways to Avoid Fake Shops and Delivery Scams

 Black Friday 2026: 7 Ways to Avoid Fake Shops and Delivery Scams

Black Friday is one of the most anticipated shopping periods for people looking for deals on technology, smartphones, computers, accessories and other products. However, alongside the discounts, scammers also find more opportunities to deceive online shoppers.

The problem is no longer limited to poorly designed websites or messages filled with spelling mistakes. Some fake shops now use artificial intelligence to create convincing pages, polished product descriptions and realistic-looking images.

On 10 November 2026, Switzerland's National Cyber Security Centre warned about an increase in reports involving fake online shops and fraudulent delivery messages impersonating courier companies.

Before taking advantage of a tempting offer, it is worth learning how to recognise the warning signs.

1. Check the website address carefully

Before making a purchase, examine the website address.

Scammers can create domains that closely resemble those of well-known brands by changing a letter, adding extra words or using a different domain extension.

Do not rely on the appearance of the website alone. A fake shop can copy a legitimate company's design, logo and product photographs.

A safer approach is to type the retailer's official address into your browser or use a bookmark you have already saved.

Important: HTTPS and the padlock symbol indicate an encrypted connection, but they do not prove that the seller is legitimate.

2. Be cautious of unusually large discounts

Finding a product at a price far below what other shops are charging may look like an excellent opportunity.

However, an unusually large price difference should make you investigate further.

Compare the same product across several retailers and check whether the advertised discount is genuine.

In the European Union, price-reduction announcements are generally subject to rules requiring retailers to use the lowest price applied during the previous 30 days as the reference price.

A European Commission review published in March 2026 found that 30% of the 314 online traders examined had presented discounts incorrectly.

3. Verify who is selling the product

Before entering your personal or payment information, look for details about the company.

Check whether the website provides:

- The company's registered or trading name.

- A business address and customer support contacts.

- Delivery conditions.

- Return and refund policies.

- Information about privacy and data handling.

A shop that does not provide basic seller information deserves extra scrutiny.

You can also search for the company's name alongside terms such as "complaints", "scam" or "reviews".

4. Do not trust customer reviews blindly

Reviews can help you understand other customers' experiences, but they should not be your only reason for trusting a retailer.

Some fraudulent websites display fabricated comments, fake customer photographs and artificially positive ratings.

Read detailed reviews and look for feedback on independent platforms.

Be particularly cautious of comments that sound almost identical, contain generic praise or appear to have been posted within a very short period.

5. Watch out for countdown timers and urgent offers

Messages such as "Only two items left" or "This deal ends in five minutes" can pressure shoppers into buying without checking the offer.

The European Commission found pressure-selling techniques at 18% of the online traders included in one review of sales practices. More than half of those cases involved misleading claims.

A genuine offer should not require you to skip every precaution.

Take a moment to compare prices and verify the offer before paying.

6. Choose your payment method carefully

Before completing a purchase, review the available payment options.

Prefer payment methods that provide fraud protection and a way to dispute transactions.

Be cautious of unknown sellers who demand direct transfers or ask you to share banking information through emails, text messages or messaging apps.

It is also a good idea to enable two-factor authentication on your shopping and payment accounts.

7. Avoid unexpected delivery messages

This is one of the scams worth watching for during the shopping season.

You may receive a message that appears to come from a courier company, such as DHL or DPD, claiming that your parcel is being held and that you need to pay a small fee or confirm your address.

The goal may be to redirect you to a fake website designed to steal your payment information.

If you are expecting a parcel, do not use the link in the message.

Instead, open the courier's official website or app directly and check the delivery status using the tracking number provided by the retailer.

Never enter your card details into a suspicious form sent through text or email.

What if you have already bought something from a fake shop?

Do not delay taking action.

Contact your bank or card provider immediately and explain what happened. Ask whether your card can be blocked, whether further transactions can be prevented, or whether the payment can be disputed.

Keep copies of messages, receipts, screenshots and the website address.

If you reused the same password on other accounts, change it there as well. Finally, report the incident to the relevant authorities in your country.

Final Thoughts: A good deal should not cost you your security

Black Friday can be a useful opportunity to buy products at attractive prices, but not every offer is what it appears to be.

Checking website addresses, researching sellers, comparing prices and avoiding suspicious links are simple habits that can help protect your money and personal information.

Take a few minutes to verify an offer before buying. An informed decision is better than a rushed purchase.

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