Fake Black Friday sites target shoppers

Kyle James, a writer for ConsumerAffairs, identified ghost websites as the leading threat for this year's Black Friday shopping season. These fraudulent sites often appear through social media advertisements that feature recognizable brands or celebrity endorsements. James notes that the marketing is designed to look legitimate, tricking users into placing orders for products they never receive or handing over credit card details to disappear.

Shoppers can verify a retailer's authenticity by typing the company name into a browser and adding the word "scam" to the search query. This simple check helps distinguish official storefronts from the many lookalike domains created by fraudsters.

Another common tactic involves ads claiming a store is closing or holding a final close-out. These promotions direct buyers to fake sites that harvest personal information. James explains that scammers frequently buy sponsored Google listings for major brands like BestBuy. Their numbers often appear above the official store line, prompting customers to call and provide financial details to the wrong party.

James advises consumers to use a retailer's official app or website to locate genuine customer service numbers. He also flags text messages reporting a delayed delivery or an order problem as a major red flag. Legitimate companies rarely text customers to verify tracking numbers or addresses. Buyers should avoid clicking links in these messages or sharing information via text.

James says that if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. He recommends checking the URL carefully before entering payment information. These steps can prevent the loss of funds and personal data during the peak shopping period.

James will continue to monitor these trends through the holiday season. The ConsumerAffairs team plans to release additional updates on emerging scams in the coming weeks.