8 tips on how to avoid Cyber Monday scams in 2025

1. Shop with trusted retailers

Sticking to well-known and trusted retailers is one of the best ways to stay safe while shopping online on Cyber Monday. As the holiday season ramps up, you'll see a surge in unfamiliar online stores promising unbelievable bargains. While it might feel like you've stumbled upon the deal of a lifetime, many of these websites are created solely to run online shopping scams. Although trying out a new shop or seller might be tempting, Cyber Monday is not the time to take that gamble.

How to identify fake retailers when shopping on Cyber Monday:

• Check the store’s reputation by looking up its reviews and ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
• If you’re shopping for gift cards, buy them directly from trusted retailers rather than third-party websites. For example, no legitimate retailer will offer a better deal on an Amazon gift card than Amazon itself, so avoid discounted Amazon gift cards from unverified sources.
• Avoid new or unfamiliar retailers unless you know for sure they are legitimate. If you want to buy from an individual seller you’ve never shopped with before, use a trusted site like Etsy, which offers protection in case of an Etsy scam. 
• Only shop on websites with a secure connection. Legitimate e-commerce sites start with “https” and often display a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. Avoid sites that only use “http” because they are less secure.

2. Verify the website’s URL

Spoofed websites are one of the easiest ways scammers trick shoppers into thinking they’re on a legitimate retailer’s site. Always check the store’s address to ensure you’re on the website you intended to visit. Make this a habit every time you shop online — not just on Cyber Monday.

Let’s say you follow the first tip and stick to shopping on a trusted website like Amazon to stay safe. Scammers can still trick you by creating a fake site that looks nearly identical to Amazon’s. They might change a small detail in the URL, like writing “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com,” or use an unusual domain extension, such as “.shop” or “.deals” instead of “.com.”

Follow these steps to make sure you’re shopping on the right website:

• Bookmark trusted retailers ahead of Cyber Monday to access their websites directly, without relying on search engines or links.
• Double-check the spelling of the URL, especially if you’re visiting a site for the first time. One small typo can land you on a scam site that looks almost identical to the real one.
• Always type the retailer’s URL directly into your browser instead of clicking links from emails, pop-up ads, or text messages. Scammers often disguise malicious links to look like legitimate website addresses — one of the most common phishing tactics.

3. Watch out for phishing scams

Phishing is a common type of internet fraud that scammers use to steal personal information by pretending to be trusted organizations. Cybercriminals use many types of phishing, but they most often rely on emails and text messages to carry out targeted attacks, such as Cyber Monday fraud or Black Friday scams.

Scammers often create fake messages that look like they’re from retailers or delivery companies to trick you into sharing sensitive information, for example your credit card details or account passwords. These scams typically create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly without thinking.

Related tips to help you spot phishing emails and messages:

• Ignore unsolicited emails or messages about “issues with your order,” “limited-time offers,” or any similar, seemingly urgent topics. Be especially cautious if you don’t remember shopping on that particular website.
• Hover over links in emails before clicking to check where they lead. If the link looks suspicious or doesn’t match the retailer’s official website, don’t click it — it’s almost certainly an online scam.
• Carefully check the sender’s domain name (the text after the “@” symbol). Scammers often use email addresses that are slightly different from that of the real company (such as “[email protected]” instead of “[email protected]”).
• Watch for spelling errors or unusual wording. Legitimate companies rarely make significant mistakes in their communications, so typos or unprofessional language can be a red flag. Don’t trust anyone who sends you “Ur special Cyber Monday offer.” 
• Avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources, especially those sent via email or posted online. Scammers may use fake QR codes to redirect you to malicious websites designed to steal your information — this type of phishing is called quishing.

4. Use secure payment methods

Secure payment methods are your best defense against fraudulent Cyber Monday sales. Scammers often pressure shoppers to use untraceable payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency because these options are nearly impossible to reverse. Whether banks refund scammed money in such cases depends on various factors, but it’s generally unlikely.

Protect your money and personal details by adopting smart financial practices:

• Pay with a credit card because it offers better fraud protection. If a scammer charges your card or a purchase goes wrong, you can request a chargeback.
• Use digital wallets like PayPal or Apple Pay. These services protect your credit card information by keeping it hidden from retailers during transactions.
• Set up transaction alerts with your bank to receive real-time notifications about activity on your account, such as purchases or withdrawals. You may also place a fraud alert on your credit file for added protection.

For extra peace of mind, consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. This service monitors your credit reports for changes, like new accounts opened in your name or significant credit inquiries. It can help you detect identity theft or larger-scale fraud that may not show up in real-time transaction alerts.

5. Avoid public Wi-Fi while shopping

Shopping on public Wi-Fi might seem convenient, especially if you’re trying to score Cyber Monday deals while sitting at a coffee shop, commuting on public transport, or browsing in a mall. However, using unsecured networks for making purchases can put your data at risk. Cybercriminals can intercept your financial or personal information while you shop on these open connections.

Tips to keep your connection secure while shopping online:

• Stick to home internet or cellular data when shopping online instead of relying on public Wi-Fi.
• If you need to use public Wi-Fi, connect through a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect your online activity from hackers. VPNs such as NordVPN provide a secure tunnel that keeps your sensitive information out of reach.

6. Understand return policies

Some retailers enforce stricter or more limited return policies on Cyber Monday purchases, and scammers often refuse returns altogether. Reviewing the return terms before buying can save you time, money, and hassle later.

How to protect yourself when it comes to returns and refunds:

• Read the retailer’s return and refund policy on its official website. Avoid purchasing expensive or important items with terms like “all online sales final.”
• Keep proof of purchase, including confirmation emails, receipts, or payment records, to make processing returns or refunds easier.

7. Use an ad blocker

Scammers often use malicious ads — a practice known as malvertising — to lure shoppers into clicking fake links. These ads, which are rampant during the holiday shopping season, might promise unrealistic discounts while directing you to infected sites that steal your data.

Tips to avoid malicious ads:

• Install a reliable ad blocker to prevent malicious ads from appearing while you browse.
• Never click on pop-up ads or advertisements promoting deals that seem too good to be true. These are often scams specifically designed to grab your attention with unbelievable offers and redirect you to malicious websites.
• If you see an advertisement that looks like it’s from a trusted retailer, don’t click on it. Scammers often use names and logos of popular retailers in fake ads to trick you into visiting fraudulent websites. Instead, type the retailer’s URL directly into your browser to check if the advertised deal is legitimate.

8. Practice cyber vigilance

It’s easy to lose sight of security during the rush of finding Cyber Monday deals. However, staying vigilant is critical to protecting your personal and financial information. Simple, proactive measures can significantly improve your online safety.

Tips to improve your personal cybersecurity while catching Cyber Monday deals:

• Use unique, complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. A password manager like NordPass can help you generate and store them securely.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your online accounts. MFA requires an additional form of verification — like a code or biometric scan — which makes it much harder for scammers to access your accounts.
• Consider using an identity monitoring service like NordProtect. These services alert you if your data, such as your Social Security number, credit card details, or email, is found in a data breach or used for suspicious activity.

Bottom line

Cyber Monday is a great opportunity to snag deals, but it’s also a prime time for scams. By sticking to reputable retailers, verifying URLs, using secure payment methods, and staying vigilant against phishing and other threats, you can enjoy a safe and successful online shopping experience. Always trust your instincts — if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.