Kyle James Lists Four Black Friday Scams Threatening 2026 Shoppers

Kyle James, a writer for ConsumerAffairs, identified four primary fraud tactics that could cost consumers more during the 2026 holiday season than the discounts they save. The strategies rely on digital deception to capture payment information before a product ever ships.

The first method involves ghost websites. These platforms are promoted through social media ads that feature recognizable brands and celebrity endorsements. James notes that the marketing tools are sophisticated. A shopper may place an order and never receive the goods. Alternatively, the site steals the credit card details and vanishes. James advises typing the company name into a browser and adding the word scam to the search query before clicking any link.

A second tactic uses ads that claim a store is closing or holding a final close-out. These advertisements direct traffic to fake sites designed to harvest personal information. A third vector is the fake customer service number. Scammers purchase sponsored Google listings for major retailers. The fraudulent number often appears above the legitimate contact information in search results. James warns that callers who dial these numbers risk handing over their payment credentials. Shoppers should use official apps or websites to find verified phone numbers.

The final scam targets text messages. Fraudsters send alerts claiming a delivery is delayed or an order has a problem. James states that legitimate companies do not text customers to verify tracking numbers or addresses. He advises shoppers to avoid clicking links in these messages and to withhold personal data until they confirm the request through a known channel.