Yes, Cyber Monday deals can be safe—but only when you verify the seller independently and protect the account, device and payment method you use. During the 2024 Cyber Five (Thanksgiving, November 28, through Cyber Monday, December 2), TransUnion recorded suspected digital fraud in 4.2% of attempted U.S. e-commerce transactions and 4.6% globally. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says consumers reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024, with online-shopping issues the second most commonly reported category.
Why Cyber Monday attracts fraud
Holiday shopping compresses large transaction volumes, urgent delivery deadlines and unusually deep promotions into a few days. That makes shoppers more likely to click first and verify later. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s 2025 holiday advisory says fraud costs consumers and financial institutions tens of billions of dollars each year and warns that artificial intelligence is making impersonation and outreach more convincing.
A professional-looking logo, a familiar retailer name or a message containing your order details is not proof that the offer is genuine. The safest approach is to treat every unsolicited deal, delivery alert and account warning as untrusted until you reach the merchant through a route you control.
Common Cyber Monday scam patterns
| Delivery channel | Requested action | Information or access targeted | Typical consequence | Recovery difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloned retailer website or app | Pay for an unusually cheap product | Card details, address and contact information | Payment data can be captured immediately; goods may never ship | High if the merchant is outside normal dispute channels |
| Phishing email or text | Click a link and sign in or “verify” an order | Password, one-time code or identity data | Credentials can be reused for account takeover | High if the password is reused or the attacker captures a code |
| Search result or social-media ad | Follow a limited-time deal or coupon | Payment information or login credentials | Redirect to a fake storefront or credential-harvesting page | Varies; payment disputes may be possible |
| Fake delivery notice | Pay a small redelivery fee or update an address | Card number, login or personal details | Unauthorized charge or stolen credentials | Usually disputable if reported promptly |
| Gift-card request | Buy cards and send the numbers or codes | Gift-card value | Funds are commonly unrecoverable once redeemed | Very high |
| Non-delivery scam | Pay a seller that never supplies the product | Payment and contact details | No shipment, fake tracking or an unresponsive seller | Depends on the payment method and issuer rules |
| Malicious download | Install a “coupon,” shipping or security application | Device access, passwords and stored data | Malware can compromise the shopping device | High if the device or accounts are exposed |
| Account-takeover message | Approve a login or disclose a verification code | Shopping, email or financial account access | Attacker changes account details or places orders | Lower when MFA is enabled and sessions are quickly secured |
How to check whether a Cyber Monday deal is genuine
- Start from a known route. Type the retailer’s established domain yourself or open its official app. Do not use a deal link from an unexpected email, text, social post or advertisement.
- Confirm who is selling. Check the legal or business name, physical contact information, privacy terms, refund rules and delivery promises. A marketplace listing should identify the actual seller, not only the platform hosting it.
- Examine the checkout address. Look for the retailer’s expected domain and a secure connection, but remember that a padlock does not prove the business is legitimate. Be wary of misspellings, extra words, unusual domain endings and pressure to pay outside the normal checkout.
- Reject urgency that prevents verification. “Last chance” timers, extraordinary discounts and claims that an account will close unless you act immediately are reasons to pause, not reasons to bypass checks.
- Handle delivery alerts independently. Do not open a link in an unexpected shipping text or email. Open the carrier’s official app or type its known website and enter the tracking number there.
Protect shopping, email and financial accounts
Use unique passwords
Create a long, different password for every retailer, email account, bank and card portal. A password manager can generate and store them, preventing a password stolen at one store from unlocking another account.
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Turn on multi-factor authentication
Enable MFA wherever it is offered, starting with email, banks, card portals and major shopping accounts. The FTC says, “Security keys are the strongest method of two-factor authentication because they don’t use credentials that hackers can steal.” A FIDO security key is a physical option when an account supports FIDO/WebAuthn; check whether your device and account accept USB, NFC or both before buying. Disclosure: itechguides.com may earn a commission from purchases made through some product links.
Never disclose a one-time code
An unexpected caller, text or “support” agent who asks for a verification code is trying to complete a login or transaction. End the contact and reach the company through its official app or website.
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Update before you shop
Install current operating-system, browser and security-software updates before entering payment details. Avoid shopping or paying over public Wi-Fi; use a trusted connection instead.
Choose a payment method that limits damage
| Method | Useful protection | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Generally offers stronger dispute protections for unauthorized or non-delivered purchases | Issuer and network rules apply; report suspicious charges promptly |
| Debit card | Can be convenient and may include account protections | Money leaves a bank account directly, so an unauthorized charge can affect available cash while the claim is reviewed |
| Gift card or direct transfer | Limited recourse in many scam situations | Never use these to pay an unsolicited “support,” delivery or government demand |
Save order confirmations, receipts, seller details and promised delivery dates. Review card and bank statements during the holiday period rather than waiting for the monthly statement.
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- Contact the card issuer or bank immediately using the number on the card or an official statement, not a number in the suspicious message. Ask about blocking the payment, replacing the card and disputing the transaction.
- Secure the affected account through its official site or app. Change a compromised or reused password and review recent sign-ins, saved payment methods and shipping addresses.
- If a device may have received a malicious download, disconnect it from sensitive accounts until it has been checked and updated with reputable security software.
- Report the fake listing, message, app or seller to the platform where you encountered it. Report consumer fraud and phishing to the appropriate government reporting service.
- Keep screenshots, emails, tracking information and transaction records. They can help the issuer, platform or investigators determine what happened.
The Treasury’s warning is straightforward: “The U.S. Department of the Treasury urges consumers to stay vigilant against the increasing threat of online cyber scams and fraud.” Independent verification, MFA, updated devices and prompt payment monitoring let you take advantage of legitimate Cyber Monday offers without treating every promotion as trustworthy.
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