Black Friday: 5 scams to avoid before you click

Black Friday falls on 27 November 2026. It is also scammers' favourite season. Here are the 5 most common traps and how to avoid them.

1. The fake shop copying a real brand

Rock-bottom prices, a famous logo, an almost identical address (one extra letter, an unusual extension). The product never arrives.

• Type the shop's address yourself instead of clicking an ad.
• Look for the legal notice: company name, address, company number.
• Be wary of a site that only accepts bank transfers.

2. The fake delivery message

A text or email says a parcel is blocked and asks for a few euros to “release” it. The link leads to a page that steals your bank details.

3. “Sold by” an unknown third party

On a large marketplace, the seller is not always the platform. The “sold by” line shows who is responsible to you: warranty, return, refund. A seller outside the European Union can make your remedies very difficult.

4. The fake discount

A struck-through price inflated just before the sale. In Belgium, an announced discount must be based on the lowest price charged during the 30 days before the discount. Compare prices over a few weeks before buying.

5. Fake reviews and countdown timers

“Only 2 left”, “offer ends in 3 minutes”, five-star reviews all written on the same day: these tricks push you to buy without thinking. Take your time.

The right reflexes

1. Pay by credit card when possible: your bank can sometimes dispute a payment.
2. Keep the order confirmation and the invoice.
3. Write down the delivery date: your 14 days to change your mind are counted from the next day.
4. Forward any suspicious message to suspect@safeonweb.be.

Bought online and regret it? Read our article on the withdrawal button and the 14 days. Been scammed? Report it on ConsumerConnect and alert your bank immediately.

The Garanti habit: Add the order confirmation to Garanti as soon as it arrives: invoice, delivery date and each item's warranty stay in one place. Try it free

Sources

• Safeonweb (Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium)
• ConsumerConnect — report a problem (FPS Economy)
• FPS Economy

Written by Pierre Leonet, founder of Garanti, on 12 November 2026. General information, not advice on an individual case.