5 Black Friday Scams To Look Out For In 2024

Black Friday shopping is just days away. And so are the Black Friday scams we are all exposed to. Black Friday is landing on November 29th this year. That means shoppers will be extra anxious to start their holiday shopping. But a race to score some killer deals can't let us be off our guard against those inevitable Black Friday scams. Here are five that you should look out for this year.

Black Friday shopping is one of the biggest events of the year. Unfortunately, Black Friday scams come along with that. In fact, experts at Bonus.com warn us that scammers will be increasing their efforts during the Black Friday rush, so being extra vigilant is vital to a successful shopping experience. Here are five things to look out for while shopping this Black Friday.

1. Counterfeit or Fake Products 

A lot of third-party sellers come out of the woodwork or up their selling game during the Black Friday rush. They often list products that look legit but are actually counterfeit or low-quality or don't come with expected warranties or certifications.

To avoid falling victim to these Black Friday scams, be aware of who you are buying from. Unknown brands or items listed at unbelievably low prices are something you should look deeper into. And multiple 5-star reviews aren't enough. Make sure those stars come with detailed feedback by real people.

It's also safer to buy products from brands or sellers you know and trust. And items marked as "Fulfilled by Amazon" or "Amazon's Choice," which are generally more reliable.  

2. Fake "Winning" Notifications 

Anyone who spends any time online gets a ridiculous number of pop-up notifications telling us we won something. This is especially true with online shopping. Black Friday scams using this technique are abundant. But there's an easy way to keep yourself safe. Often scammers will send these notifications, usually saying you won a big prize like a T.V., but then ask for personal information. Including home addresses or credit card info, allegedly to cover shipping costs. Right there, red flag!!

No legitimate giveaway would require the winner to cover shipping costs. PERIOD. Never give out that information, no matter how enticing the promised prize is. You won't get it. But you might get the gift of your identification stolen if you fall for it.

3. Delivery Scams or Package Theft Alerts

Another popular scam that consumers experience all year long is the delivery scam. This is among the easier Black Friday scams to fall victim to. We want our packages and have a mini panic attack when we are told they have been lost. Tenfold as the holidays approach and we're rushing to get those last-minute gifts.

But that adrenaline rush of last-minute gift buying sometimes blinds us to the obvious signs that we are being scammed. If you get a text or email from an unknown source telling you that your package can't be delivered or was lost, do NOT click any link in that text or email. Those links can lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.

The only notifications to take seriously will come directly from the retailer's official email or from the app you used to buy the item on. And always check the actually app or website of the retailer for any information about shipping. And above all else, never give personal or payment information to anyone claiming something needs to be redelivered with an added cost.

4. Phishing Texts and Email

Along the same lines as the fake delivery message is another form of email and texting scamming. This will look like a retailer sending an email or text message saying something is wrong with your delivery and more information is required. Often this message will ask for you to click a link to go back to the website and verify information.

Don't do it. Never click a link in an email. Even if you are positive it came from the actual retailer. If it did, you'll see the same notification when you directly log in to your account on their website or with their app. If it didn't, you just saved yourself from a holiday nightmare by not taking the bait.

5. Fake Customer Service Scams

While it can happen with other companies, this scam happens a lot with alleged Amazon Customer Service representatives. They will reach out to you via email, text, chat or phone calls and ask for account information to verify your identity. They'll compel you to do this by telling you there is an issue with your account or an order.

This is another scam. A legit customer service rep will not ask for personal information. Including passwords and payment info. Again, go directly to the retailer's website or app to verify any issue that is really happening with your account. And never pay with a gift card or cash to these scammers or you won't see that money again.

While it's important to look out for these Black Friday scams specifically, there are other ways to keep yourself from being a victim of theft during your holiday shopping. Including never using public Wi-Fi to make online purchases or entering personal information. Use credit cards when you can, as they provide better fraud protection than debit cards. Keep your shopping apps up-to-date. And always protect your accounts with a unique and strong password that doesn't include information about you than can be found on your social media accounts.

The experts at Bonus.com warn that there is a 22% increase in fraud losses reported during the Black Friday shopping season. And the techniques used by scammers are more sophisticated and harder to detect. Keeping these tips in mind can help keep your holiday shopping from turning into a winter nightmare. Happy Shopping!

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The time of year has come where everyone is thinking about holiday travel plans. Where they'll go, what they'll pack, who they'll see. What most people aren't thinking about, however, is the very thing they should be considering. Travel delays. It's bound to happen sooner or later. But that doesn't mean it has to be stressful for holiday travelers. The secret to success is to be on top of your timing and preparation. That means doing what you can to avoid hectic travel times and being ready even if you land right in the middle of it.

It's wise to expect at least some travel delays in your itinerary. Tenfold during the holidays. And a hundredfold if you live in a city with an airport known for such headaches. We just reported on the top ten airports in the U.S. that are known for how many of their flights get delayed every year. If you're flying into or out of Las Vegas, Miami or San Francisco, sorry to say you have a pretty good chance at getting at least one flight delayed.

So let's say you have plans to meet your family for dinner on the other side of your upcoming flight. Which is great because you ran out of the house without feeding the kiddos and you're on a budget too tight to afford airport food prices. It'll all work out, providing that your flight leaves on time and there's no delay on the runway. Then it comes...the news that your flight is delayed. Cue the mounds of stress.

Was it really the flight being delayed that caused the stress? Or was it the lack of preparation and putting too much of your success on things out of your control? The problem is obvious. Fortunately, so is the solution. We got some tips from travel experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group that will help travelers avoid flying during those times when delays are more likely. As well as tips to handle delays when they do come.

The most popular times to travel is from afternoon into the late evening. Therefore, try to book an early morning flight. Those are less prone to delays and very often have smaller crowds and shorter security lines. Redeyes are also often light on passengers. For long flights, it might even be helpful to book an overnighter that your kids can sleep on. They won't be bored and you won't be stressed about getting through the crowds. It's a win-win!

Due to work, school or other demands, most of the world has to travel for the holidays the day before or the day of. Experts advise travelers to try to book a flight at least a few days before Thanksgiving or Christmas to avoid the rush. The same goes for flying home. Pick a few days after the holiday for the easier time spent in the terminal. You might have to take extra time off, but it might be worth avoiding the headache.

If travel delays are inevitable, experts advise that packing smart is the difference between stress-free travel and total chaos. Bring your own snacks and empty water bottle to fill up after getting through security. This will eliminate the need to get in long lines for food or drink. For my kiddo, I pack a Snackle Box and don't let them see it until the flight. So everything's a fun surprise.

If you have to be somewhere shortly after your flight is supposed to land, then timing is everything. The way to NOT make timing everything is to allow plenty of it on the other side of your flight. Make a whole day for travel, if you can. That gives you the whole day to get to where you need to be, settle in, and refresh before hitting the holiday plans with the family. Don't make 7:00 dinner plans when your flight comes in at 6:00pm. That just sets you up for failure.

This is especially necessary if you have little ones. Download movies or apps before heading to the airport, and don't forget the chargers! If you want to mix it up and use fewer electronics during potential travel delays, there are lots of downloadable game cards like airport bingo or scavenger hunts. And don't be afraid to go old school with those travel board games. They're time-consuming and take up little space in the carry on.

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