Security firms and outlets warn of a major uptick in Black Friday phishing and fake e‑commerce stores that use AI to create convincing brand pages and endorsements. Consumers are urged to verify seller details, prefer card payments and avoid bank transfers or crypto for purchases.

Cybersecurity organizations and major news outlets reported a steep rise in seasonal scams timed for Black Friday, noting criminals are leveraging AI to generate highly realistic fake storefronts, product photos and endorsements that impersonate top retailers. Analysts say attack chains often begin with targeted ads, social posts or search results that route shoppers to so‑called ghost stores which mimic site design and use convincing logos and testimonials. Payment methods that bypass buyer protections — bank transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency — are commonly pushed to prevent chargebacks. European regulators and reporting (including German press) specifically advised buyers to check seller contact details and legal impressum information before completing purchases, as well as to verify offers on the retailer’s official domain. Experts recommend using credit cards or trusted payment processors, enabling browser security features, and contacting merchants via verified channels if a deal looks unusually good. Retailers and payment platforms are also urged to monitor ad ecosystems and takedown fraudulent listings more aggressively over the holiday period.