Black Friday Scams to Avoid in the UK: Delivery Texts, Fake Stores, and Marketplace Traps
Scammers turn up the volume during Black Friday. They copy retailer branding, seed fake ads, and push panic messages about missed parcels. This guide shows you the biggest scams, how to spot them fast, and the exact steps to take if you clicked or paid.
The five biggest Black Friday scams right now
1) Fake delivery texts and tracking pages
You receive a text about a missed delivery with a small fee link. The page steals your card details, then a fake bank agent calls to move your money.
How to spot it: odd web addresses, fees for redelivery, urgent timing.
Do instead: open the courier’s official app or website directly and check your tracking number there.
2) Lookalike stores with impossible prices
Ads on search and social lead to glossy sites that copy real brands. They collect card details and either ship nothing or send a worthless item.
How to spot it: no real company address, new domain, only bank transfer or sketchy payment methods, vague returns page.
Do instead: buy from retailers with a traceable UK presence and card checkout.
3) Marketplace overpayments and refund flips
A buyer pays more than the price and asks you to refund the difference. The first payment is fake or reversed.
How to spot it: overpayment stories, requests to refund to a different account, rush to complete.
Do instead: only use in-platform payments and never refund to a different destination.
4) Social media store drops
Pop up shops push limited runs with influencer style photos. They close accounts after taking payments.
How to spot it: no landline or address, no VAT or company details, copied product photos, no return instructions.
Do instead: check company registration, real reviews with photos, and a clear returns route before paying.
5) BNPL and finance phishing
Emails or texts claim there is a problem with your instalment or card verification. The link captures login details and one time codes.
How to spot it: generic greetings, links that go to domains that are almost right, pressure to verify now.
Do instead: open the BNPL or bank app directly. Never share one time codes with anyone who calls you.
Fast red flags checklist
- Link arrives by text or DM and asks for a fee
- Store has no street address or returns page with real steps
- Payment options exclude credit and debit cards
- Reviews are all five stars with similar wording
- Countdown timer resets on refresh
- The price is far below other reputable retailers for the exact model
If any two red flags appear, stop.
How to verify a store in two minutes
- Scroll to the Returns and Contact pages. Look for a UK address, company number, and a working landline.
- Check payment methods. Card and trusted wallets are safer than bank transfer.
- Paste the domain into a search with the word reviews and scan for patterns of non delivery.
- Compare the exact model code and price with a known retailer. If the gap is extreme, assume risk.
Safer payment rules
- Use a credit card on qualifying purchases for stronger purchase protection
- Keep instant alerts on for all card transactions
- Avoid bank transfers to sellers you do not know
- Never share one time passcodes with anyone who contacts you
Delivery and porch security
- Use lockers or store collection for high value items
- Turn on courier app notifications rather than relying on texts
- Photograph serial numbers on arrival
- Video unboxing for expensive tech to support DOA or missing parts claims
What to do if you clicked a bad link
- Airplane mode to stop more sessions if on mobile.
- Close the tab and do not enter further details.
- Call your bank from the number on the card and say you entered details on a phishing page. Ask to block and replace the card.
- Change passwords on email and any affected retailer or BNPL accounts.
- Check devices for new browser extensions or profiles you did not install. Remove them.
- Report the scam to the platform and keep screenshots.
What to do if you paid a scammer
- Card payment: contact your bank at once. Ask for a chargeback and note the case number.
- Bank transfer: call your bank and ask about the fraud recovery process. Provide account details and timestamps.
- Wallet or BNPL: open a dispute in the app and upload evidence.
- Keep a timeline: order numbers, dates, screenshots, messages, and tracking references.
Speed improves outcomes. Act on the same day where possible.
Marketplace safety
- Meet in public and bring a friend for local pickups
- Use in platform payments only
- Photograph the item and serial numbers at handover
- Ignore buyers who want to pay more or change the payment route
QR codes and coupon traps
- Do not scan QR codes from random flyers or social posts that claim secret discounts
- If a retailer uses a QR code in store, verify the URL on your screen before entering credentials
Account hygiene before the sales
- Use a password manager with unique passwords
- Turn on two factor authentication for your email, bank, BNPL, and main retailers
- Remove saved cards from shops you rarely use
- Set spend alerts and a daily limit for the weekend
Ten minute triage if something feels off
- Freeze the affected card in your banking app
- Reset email and retailer passwords
- Check recent orders and addresses for changes
- Start a dispute in the relevant app or bank
- Collect screenshots and write a short summary while details are fresh
Message templates you can copy
Bank support request
Hello, I entered my card details on a suspected phishing page today at [time]. Please block and replace the card and review recent transactions for fraud. I have not shared one time codes with anyone. Case notes attached.
Retailer dispute
Order [number] placed on [date]. The item has not arrived and the tracking shows no movement. Please cancel and refund the full amount. Evidence attached.
Platform report
This listing appears to be a scam. Photos are copied from [source], price is far below market, and the seller requests bank transfer. Please review and remove.
If a fake bank agent calls you
- Hang up. Call back using the number printed on your card
- Banks do not ask you to move money to a safe account
- Banks do not need your full card numbers or one time codes over an inbound call
Teaching your housemates
- Share this guide in your flat chat
- Agree that no one posts bank screenshots or codes
- If one person receives a scam text, warn the group so others do not fall for it
Frequently asked questions
Are all delivery fee texts fake
If you are asked to pay a small fee by link, assume it is fake. Check the official courier app or website directly.
Is PayPal always safe
It has buyer protection, but read the rules. Stick to goods and services, not friends and family for purchases.
Can I get money back after a bank transfer
Sometimes via your bank’s fraud process, but it is harder than card refunds. Move fast and give full details.
What about charity scams during sales
Give through official charity sites or well known platforms. Avoid links in unsolicited messages.
Simple checklist you can copy
- Never click payment links in texts or DMs
- Verify store identity, address, and returns page
- Pay by card and keep instant alerts on
- Use lockers or tracked delivery for high value items
- Keep screenshots, serial photos, and a timeline of any issue
- If you clicked or paid, contact your bank the same day and change passwords
A calm process beats panic. If a message pushes you to act fast, slow down and switch to the official app or website. Pay only through trusted checkouts, keep evidence, and move quickly if something goes wrong. You will avoid almost every Black Friday scam with these habits.
