Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the most anticipated shopping days of the year, offering massive discounts and limited time offers. While these sales events bring genuine savings, they also attract scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.
From fake online stores to misleading app offers, falling for a scam can lead to significant financial loss. If you’ve been a victim, knowing how to get a refund from Black Friday or Cyber Monday scams can save you from both your money and stress. This guide explains the process on how to recover your funds safely.
Common Types of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams:
To increase your chances of getting a refund, it is important to recognize the types of scams that are common during these shopping events:
Fake Online Stores: Websites offering high demand products at unbelievably low prices, often taking money without delivering anything.
Subscription Scams: Free trials or heavily discounted subscriptions that automatically charge your card without your consent.
Account Update Offers: Emails or pop-ups claiming urgent updates to accounts, tricking users into sharing sensitive payment information.
Gaming Purchase Scams: Fake deals on game keys, in-game currency, or early access promotions.
Hosting and Software Discount Scams: Fraudulent offers for web hosting, VPNs, software licenses, or productivity tools.
Travel and Hotel Booking Scams: Fake vacation rentals, discounted airline tickets, or non-existent bookings.
Gift Card Scams: Unrealistic discounts on gift cards or fake promotions that never deliver.
Mobile App Scams: Apps claiming huge discounts or cash back rewards that request unnecessary payment or personal details.
Influencer Promotions and Social Media Scams: Fake endorsements or limited time product offers shared on social media platforms.
Charity Scams: Fraudulent donation requests disguised as Black Friday or Cyber Monday charity campaigns.
Tech Support Scams: Fake antivirus, system errors, or pop-ups prompting users to pay for unnecessary “technical support.”
Phishing Scams: Emails, messages, or links impersonating banks, PayPal, or other services to steal login credentials or card info.
Crypto & Investment Scams: Fake crypto exchanges, Ponzi schemes, or high return investment apps targeting shoppers.
Social Media Marketplace Scams: Fake sellers on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms selling nonexistent or counterfeit items.
Romance Scams: Emotional manipulation scams asking for money through online relationships.
Impersonation Scams: Scammers pretending to be friends, relatives, officials, or customer support to steal money.
Fake Customer Support / Refund Scams: Fraudulent services claiming they can recover lost money or fix scam related issues.
Fake Giveaways / Reward Scams: Offers that require upfront payment or sharing personal info to “win” a product or reward.
Limited Time Discount Scams: Unrealistic “Black Friday only” Or “Cyber Monday only” deals that don’t exist or misrepresent products.
Wallet / Digital Top-Up Scams: Fake offers to recharge e-wallets, gift cards, or mobile balance for extra bonuses.
Recognizing the type of scam helps you act quickly, gather the right evidence, and increase the chances of getting a refund.
Guide to Getting a Refund from Scams:
Now that you understand the different types of scams, the following guide will help you request a refund based on your situation. Since each scam works differently, the refund process may also vary. Follow the steps that match the type of scam you experienced.
Fake Online Stores (Non Delivery or Wrong/Low Value Items):
Examples: Websites selling high demand products at extremely low prices but never delivering, or sending wrong/low value items.
Refund Steps:
- Contact the seller first and request a refund, also document your messages.
- Save all proof such as order confirmations, screenshots of ads, emails, chats, and payment receipts.
- If the product never arrives:
- File a chargeback with your bank or card provider for “goods not received”.
- If paid via PayPal, open a Buyer Protection dispute.
- If the product delivered is wrong or defective:
- Use postal or courier tracking to prove incorrect delivery or different weight/value.
- Submit this evidence to your bank, card issuer, or PayPal for refund consideration.
- Report the store to your country’s consumer protection agency, cybercrime portal, or a Consumer Ombudsman service.
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges and enable two-factor authentication.
Subscription Scams (Unauthorized Auto Renewals or Hidden Fees):
Examples: Free trials or heavily discounted subscriptions that automatically charge without consent.
Refund Steps:
- Cancel the subscription immediately to stop further charges.
- Request a refund via the platform or app:
- Google Play Store: Request a refund.
- Apple App Store: Report a problem.
- Website: Email or chat support team.
- Contact your bank to block future charges and dispute previous unauthorized payments.
- Keep screenshots of misleading ads, trial terms, or hidden fees as evidence.
- If it was a website subscription, email them and ask for cancellation + refund.
- Report the subscription scam to your national consumer protection authority.
Account Update / Verification Offers (Phishing):
Examples: Emails, pop-ups, or SMS claiming urgent account updates to steal credentials or payment info.
Refund Steps:
- If you shared payment details, immediately contact your bank or card provider to block or reverse unauthorized payments.
- Change passwords for all affected accounts and enable two factor authentication.
- File a cybercrime report with screenshots and any scam email links.
- Notify the real service provider (e.g., Amazon, PayPal, bank) about the phishing attempt.
- Monitor accounts closely for further unauthorized transactions.
Gaming Purchase Scams:
Examples: Fake game codes, in-game currency, or early access promotions.
Refund Steps:
- Contact the gaming platform (Steam, Xbox, PlayStation) to request a refund.
- If purchased through a third party site, file a chargeback with your bank.
- Collect proof such as screenshots of invalid codes, emails, advertisements, and payment receipts.
- Report the fraudulent website to gaming platform support and consumer authorities.
- Monitor your financial accounts for further unauthorized transactions.
Hosting & Software Discount Scams:
Examples: Fake deals on web hosting, VPNs, productivity tools, or software licenses.
Refund Steps:
- Contact the company if legitimate, if not, request a chargeback with your bank for “services not delivered.”
- Provide all evidence such as screenshots, emails, advertisements, payment receipts.
- Report fake hosting or software vendors to consumer protection authorities or copyright enforcement agencies.
- For domain/hosting related scams, notify ICANN, accredited registrars.
- Monitor your bank or wallet accounts for any suspicious activity.
Travel & Hotel Booking Scams:
Examples: Fake vacation rentals, airline tickets, hotel bookings, or travel packages.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank immediately to dispute payments as nonexistent booking.
- Verify booking with real airlines, hotels, or travel platforms to prove fraud.
- Gather evidence such as screenshots of fake ads, confirmation emails, payment receipts.
- Report the fake booking website to consumer protection authorities and relevant travel platforms.
- If paid via wallets (PayPal, CashApp), request an urgent transaction investigation.
- Monitor accounts for any recurring unauthorized charges.
Gift Card Scams:
Examples: Unrealistic discounts on gift cards or fake promotions.
Refund Steps:
- Contact the gift card issuer immediately, unused balances may be frozen.
- File a chargeback with your bank if the purchase was fraudulent.
- Save all evidence such as screenshots, emails, advertisements, and payment proof.
- Report the scam to your national consumer protection authority or cybercrime portal.
- Monitor your financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
Mobile App Scams:
Examples: Apps offering huge discounts, cashback, or rewards but requesting unnecessary payments or personal info.
Refund Steps:
- Delete the app immediately.
- Request a refund through Google Play or Apple App Store.
- Contact your mobile operator to reverse any premium SMS charges.
- Keep evidence of the app’s claims, screenshots, and payment receipts.
- Report the app to the respective store to prevent further victims.
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized charges.
Influencer Promotions & Social Media Scams:
Examples: Fake endorsements, limited time products, or fake giveaways.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank to dispute any payment as fraud.
- Report the influencer’s fake account to the social media platform.
- Collect screenshots of the promotion, chats, and payment confirmations.
- File a report with consumer protection or cybercrime authorities.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious charges or scams.
Charity Scams:
Examples: Fake donation campaigns during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank immediately to reverse the donation.
- Request a refund through the donation platform if applicable.
- Keep evidence such as screenshots, emails, payment confirmations.
- Report the fake charity to national charity regulators and cybercrime authorities.
- Monitor bank and card accounts for unauthorized transactions.
Tech Support Scams:
Examples: Fake antivirus alerts or remote support requests.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank to dispute the payment as “fraudulent technical service.”
- If gift cards were used, contact the issuer to stop redemption.
- Remove any remote access software installed by scammers.
- Reset all passwords for affected accounts.
- File a cybercrime report and submit all evidence.
- Monitor financial accounts for additional unauthorized charges.
Phishing Scams:
Examples: Fake login pages, bank emails, or SMS requesting payment info.
Refund Steps:
- Notify your bank immediately to block or reverse unauthorized payments.
- Change passwords on affected accounts and enable two factor authentication.
- Report phishing emails or messages to the service provider.
- File a cybercrime complaint with evidence.
- Monitor financial and online accounts for suspicious activity.
Crypto And Investment Scams
Examples: Fake crypto exchanges, Ponzi schemes, or high return investment apps.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank to request a chargeback if paid with a card.
- Notify the exchange where funds were last deposited and request a wallet freeze.
- Submit transaction hashes and wallet details to your national financial regulator.
- File a cybercrime complaint with proof.
- Avoid using recovery agents as they are usually scams.
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized transactions.
Social Media Marketplace Scams:
Examples: Fake sellers on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms.
Refund Steps:
- Report the seller’s page/profile to the platform.
- Dispute the charge with your bank for non delivery.
- Provide screenshots of chats, advertisements, and payment receipts.
- If paid via wallet apps, open a dispute or request investigation.
- Monitor accounts for additional charges.
Romance Scams:
Examples: Online emotional manipulation to extract money.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank immediately for reversal of payments.
- Report crypto payments to exchanges if applicable.
- Collect all chat and transaction proof.
- File a cybercrime complaint.
- Monitor financial accounts for suspicious transactions.
Impersonation Scams:
Examples: Scammers posing as friends, relatives, officials, or customer support.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank or wallet to block and reverse the transaction.
- Provide all evidence such as screenshots, chat logs, phone numbers.
- Report impersonation to cybercrime authorities.
- Change passwords on accounts targeted by the scam.
- Monitor accounts for further fraud attempts.
Fake Customer Support / Refund Scams:
Examples: Scammers claiming they can recover lost funds.
Refund Steps:
- Contact your bank immediately to reverse any payment made to the fake support.
- Remove any software or remote access tools the scammer installed.
- File a cybercrime complaint.
- Keep screenshots and emails as proof.
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized charges.
Fake Giveaways / Reward Scams:
Examples: Offers requiring upfront payment or sharing personal info to win a product.
Refund Steps:
- Dispute the payment with your bank as fraudulent.
- Keep all screenshots and chat records.
- Report the scam to social media or website platform.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Limited Time Discount Scams:
Examples: Unrealistic “Black Friday Or Cyber Monday only” deals that misrepresent products or don’t exist.
Refund Steps:
- File a chargeback with your bank or card provider.
- Provide proof such as screenshots of the offer, ads, emails, payment confirmation.
- Report the fake deal to consumer authorities.
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized payments.
Wallet / Digital Top-Up Scams:
Examples: Fake offers to recharge e-wallets, gift cards, or mobile balances for extra bonuses.
Refund Steps:
- Contact the wallet provider immediately to freeze transactions if pending.
- Dispute payment with your bank if already completed.
- Collect all evidence such as screenshots, emails, payment confirmations.
- Report the scam to the wallet provider and consumer authorities.
- Monitor your financial accounts for suspicious activity.
Quick Tips to Avoid Future Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams:
- Always verify the legitimacy of online stores by checking reviews, official contact information, and domain authenticity.
- Be skeptical of deals that appear too good to be true.
- Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or suspicious social media ads.
- Use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal, which offer better protection.
- Install antivirus software and keep your devices updated to protect against phishing attacks.
- When using apps for shopping or offers, download only from official stores like Google Play or Apple App Store.
Final Thoughts:
You should know that recovering a refund from Black Friday or Cyber Monday scams requires patience, documentation, and persistence. The steps outlined above: contacting the seller, gathering proof, reporting to authorities, and working with your bank or payment platform can significantly improve your chances of reclaiming your money.
While success may vary depending on location, payment method, and service provider policies, staying vigilant and informed ensures that you can enjoy holiday shopping without falling victim to scams.
By following this refund guide and understanding the different types of scams, you can confidently navigate Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, protecting both your money and personal information.
Image Source:
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