Shoppers Beware, Black Friday Scams On The Rise Ahead of Thanksgiving

Black Friday Shopping Trends

Folks are gearing up to do some serious shopping this year. While Black Friday isn't what it used to be like back in the 90s, shoppers are still finding ways to get great deals.

In 2024, Capital One reports that 131.7 million Americans shopped retail on Black Friday. This year the average shopper is estimated to send $650 during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

According to Capital One, Black Friday online shopping revenue in 2024 "exceeded $10.8 billion, up 10.2%."

Needless to say, lots of people have been shopping and will be shopping on Black Friday.

Before you start your shopping, the New York Sheriff's Association is warning of Black Friday Scams on the rise.

NYS Sheriff's Association Warns of Black Friday Scams

The New York State Sheriff's Association is warning shoppers to be on the lookout for Black Friday Scams.

These scams are target to online deals. The NYS Sheriff's Association shares the following scams to watch for:

Fake "deal" websites and social media ads.
Huge discounts on hot items from sites you've never hear of.
Web addresses that look almost like real brands.
No reviews, no contact info, no clear return policy.

They add:

If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to trusted retailers and type the web address in yourself—don’t just click the ad.

Better safe than sorry, but double check all links before you make any big purchases.

Latest Scams Across the Hudson Valley

The New York State Department of Health released a warning to New Yorkers of an ongoing scam that looks almost too realistic.

According to a social media post, the NYS DOH explains that some New Yorkers reported receiving phone calls from "identifying themselves as a DOH employee."

READ MORE: NYS Health Officials Warn Residents About Emerging Scam

To make it even more confusing for the victims, the Caller ID in some instances also read "New York State Department of Health." Scammers would call asking for information about "a controlled substance prescription."

Organizations like the DOH will never ask for information like that over the phone or through text messages.