The Dark Side of Deal Hunting: Why That “80% Off” Email Is Probably a Trap
The holiday shopping season is in full swing; Black Friday, Cyber Monday, pre-Christmas sales…
But while you’re scrolling for steals, scammers are scrolling for you.
And this year, they’re armed with AI, fake sites, and even free jewelry, all designed to steal your data, your money, or both.
“If it sounds too good to be true, like 90% off Apple AirPods—it almost certainly is.”
— Cybersecurity Experts, 2025 Holiday Alert
🚨 3 Scams Flooding Inboxes & Mailboxes Right Now
1. The “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Email
📧 Subject: “FLASH SALE: 85% OFF Everything—Today Only!”
→ Looks like it’s from Amazon, Nordstrom, or Best Buy
→ Includes logo, branding, even your first name
→ But the link? Leads to a fake checkout page
Reality check:
- Legit retailers rarely discount 80%+ site-wide
- 250% surge in fake shopping sites (NordVPN, Nov 2025)
- Scammers now use AI to clone real sites—down to the fonts and checkout flow
✅ Do this:
- Hover over links before clicking—does the URL say
amaz0n-deals[.]xyz? ❌ - Look for
🔒 https://and a verified domain (e.g.,amazon.com, notamazon-offers.net)
2. The “Brushing Scam” — Free Ring, Hidden Risk
📦 You get a small package:
- A fake diamond ring
- A “free gift” note
- A QR code: “Scan to register your gift!”
This isn’t generosity.. it’s fraud in disguise.
How it works:
- Scammers send unsolicited items (often from stolen accounts)
- They use your address to boost fake product ratings (“brushing”)
- The QR code? Leads to a phishing site that harvests:
- Your name, phone, email
- Credit card if you “verify” for “shipping insurance”
→ Later used for account takeovers or identity theft
“Do NOT scan the QR code. Do NOT provide any personal info.”
— Marjan Barrigan-Husted, U.S. Postal Inspector
✅ Do this:
- Keep the item (yes, it’s legally yours!)
- Report to USPS OIG or your local postal inspector
- Monitor accounts for suspicious logins
3. AI-Powered Fake Reviews & Ads
🖼️ That 5-star product with 2,000 glowing reviews?
→ May be generated by AI
→ Photos may be AI-rendered (no real product exists)
→ Ads run on Facebook/Instagram with real-looking UGC videos
✅ Do this:
- Search “[Product Name] + scam” on Reddit or Trustpilot
- Check seller’s actual website does it have contact info, return policy, physical address?
- Use browser extensions like ScamAdviser or McAfee WebAdvisor
🔐 Your Holiday Shopping Safety Checklist
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Before You Click
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Before You Pay
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After You Order
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|---|---|---|
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✅ Use credit card (not debit) for fraud protection
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✅ Check for
https:// + padlock |
✅ Never save card info on unknown sites
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✅ Track package—report if item ≠ description
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✅ Search brand + “scam” first
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✅ Avoid “limited-time” checkout pop-ups
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✅ Keep receipts for 90+ days
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Final Thought: Joy > Deals
The best gift this season isn’t the one you save 90% on.
It’s the peace of mind that your data, your accounts, and your family are safe.
🛡️ Pro tip: Bookmark your favorite retailers’ official sites, type them directly. No links. No risks.
Stay savvy, stay safe and happy (smart) shopping.
Source: ABC7