The US Federal Trade Commission, in a consumer alert dated 25 November 2025 and modified on 14 August 2026, says a seller who insists on payment by gift card, wire transfer, payment app or cryptocurrency is probably a scam, and advises paying by credit card when possible because it gives dispute rights. It also warns about unusually low prices in social media ads.
This online shopping safety checklist turns the FTC’s advice into steps you can follow before Black Friday on Friday, 27 November 2026. I add NBC Select’s tips and InvestigateTV’s advice on reporting wrong prices. The FTC page has no loss statistics, so I do not cite any. Rules differ outside the United States, so check your own country’s consumer authority.
Before You Shop
Prepare your accounts and devices first. This list is our own, based on common practice, not the FTC page. For more detail on safe remote habits, see our cybersecurity guide for remote work.
| Step | Why (our guidance) |
|---|---|
| Update your phone, browser and apps | Fixes known security holes |
| Use strong, unique passwords | One breach should not open all accounts |
| Turn on two-step verification | Adds a second barrier |
| Decide your payment method | Pay by credit card where possible (FTC) |
| Set a budget | Scams use urgency to push spending |
Check the Seller
The FTC advises searching the seller’s name and website address plus words such as ‘review’, ‘complaint’ or ‘scam’, and checking whether the business exists. It warns that unusually low prices in social media ads may point to impersonated brands, counterfeits or nothing being delivered.
| Red flag (FTC) | What to do |
|---|---|
| Very low price in a social media ad | Search the seller and compare with the brand’s own site |
| Brand look-alike | Go to the official website directly |
| Seller demands gift card, wire, payment app or crypto | Stop; this is probably a scam |
Pay Safely and Keep Records
The FTC says to pay by credit card when possible for dispute rights, and to keep receipts and order confirmations. It also says sellers must ship by the date they promised or offer a refund. Our addition: screenshot the product page and price.
Phishing messages claiming a delivery problem are common in busy shopping weeks, so read our guide to AI phishing attacks before clicking any link.
Check the Deal, Not Just the Site
A safe site can still sell a misleading deal. NBC Select advises checking price history with tools such as CamelCamelCamel, Honey and Keepa, and reading return and price-match policies. InvestigateTV advises taking a photo of a wrong price and reporting it to your state attorney general and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
| Check | Tool or action |
|---|---|
| Price history | CamelCamelCamel, Honey or Keepa (NBC Select) |
| Return policy | Read it before paying |
| Wrong price in store | Photo, then report (InvestigateTV) |
If Something Goes Wrong
Contact the seller and your card issuer quickly, keep records and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US. In other countries, use the local consumer authority. The FTC page does not give recovery odds, so act early and keep all messages.
