November’s Black Friday is a prime time for scammers to target online shoppers with convincing offers and fake deals, often pressuring you into acting quickly. Action Fraud data shows that over £11.8 million was lost to online shopping fraud between November 2024 and January 2025. Here’s what to watch out for – and how to stay safe using 黑料传送门’s guidance below:
Common Black Friday scams
1. Fake adverts and scam websites
- Scammers impersonate big brands on social media, offering non-existent items or giveaways.
- Watch for ads from unverified or unofficial accounts, or AI-generated images.
- In October 2025, fake Amazon websites surged by 232% compared to September, and fake eBay pages increased by 525%.
- Check for unnatural details in images and videos and always check if the website address is genuine.
2. Phishing emails
- Unexpected emails claiming to be from retailers may offer giveaways or ask you to complete surveys.
- In 2024, 77% of Black Friday-themed spam emails were fraudulent, up from 70% in 2023
- These aim to steal your personal and financial information.
- Never click suspicious links – verify offers by going to the retailer’s official website.
3. Dodgy texts
- Out-of-the-blue texts promoting Black Friday deals or delivery issues may contain malicious links.
- Scam texts can spread malware or trick you into giving away information.
- Always confirm delivery requests directly with the courier’s official website.
How our security guidance can help
Our Data Security pages provide practical advice to help you:
- Spot phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
- Verify website authenticity before entering personal or payment information.
- Recognise and report suspicious emails, texts and adverts.
- Protect your devices from malware and scams.
- Stay up to date with the latest security threats and best practices.
If you’re unsure about an offer, message or website, check out our guidance or contact Digital & Technology for advice.
Reporting scams and getting help
- Report scam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (free of charge).
- Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk, using the ‘Report Phishing’ button in Outlook or reporting to D&T Service Desk.
- Report dodgy websites to the via its official website.
If you lose money to a scam:
- Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card.
- Report the incident to .
Stay vigilant and enjoy safe shopping!
Posted on Tuesday 25 November 2025