Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, with Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and Cyber Monday on Nov. 30. Many online deals start the night before, which means a lot of people will be buying fast, on a phone, and a little tired. That is exactly when mistakes happen. Here is a short routine that costs nothing and takes about 15 minutes to set up in advance.
1. Pay With a Credit Card, Not a Debit Card
Federal law gives credit card users strong dispute rights. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your liability for unauthorized use is limited to $50, and you generally have 60 days from the date the statement is sent to dispute a billing error, including charges for goods you never received. The card issuer must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles (no more than 90 days). Debit cards are different: the money leaves your bank account right away, and the rules and deadlines depend on your bank, so check them before you rely on one.
If you’re disputing a charge, California’s attorney general advises writing to the issuer’s billing-inquiries address (not the payment address) and keeping copies of everything. Most issuers also let you start a dispute in their app, but the written route is the one the law spells out.
2. Check the Website Address Before You Enter Anything
Fake shops copy real brands and buy ads that appear when you search for a hot product. Before you type a card number, look at the web address itself. Misspellings, extra words or an unfamiliar ending (such as a brand name followed by “-deals”) are red flags. When in doubt, type the retailer’s address yourself or open its official app instead of tapping an ad or a link in a text message. If you want more on spotting scam offers, see our guide to how to shop during Prime Big Deal Days without getting hooked by scams.
3. Compare the Same Model, Not Just the Price
A “doorbuster” TV is often a stripped-down model made for the sale, with a similar name to the better one. Write down the exact model number from the manufacturer’s site, then compare that number across retailers. One shopping-strategy guide notes that TVs tend to be strongest on Black Friday itself, while laptops, software and small kitchen appliances often do better on Cyber Monday. That guide is from a cashback company, so treat its forecasts as a rough guide and confirm prices on the day.
4. Look at the Return Policy Before You Buy
Holiday windows differ by store and by item. Before you check out, find the return window, whether returns are free, and any restocking fee on electronics. Take a screenshot of the policy and your order confirmation. If the deal is only good because the item is “final sale,” think twice.
5. Set Up Alerts So You Notice Fraud Fast
Turn on transaction alerts in your card app now. A text for every purchase is a nuisance in January and a lifesaver in November. Also watch for delivery texts about packages you did not order; do not tap the link, and check the real order status in the retailer’s own app.
6. Use a Budget, and Skip Gift Cards From Strangers
The FTC’s long-standing holiday advice starts with the basics: set a budget, compare prices, and protect your personal information when you shop online. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay with a gift card or wire transfer, which is a common scammer’s request.
If Something Goes Wrong
- Call the number on the back of your card and ask to dispute the charge or replace the card.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
- Change the password on any account you used on a suspicious site, and consider a password check.
None of this guarantees a perfect deal, but it does make the worst outcomes much easier to reverse.
More on Contoh
- Prime Big Deal Days Is Here, and So Are the Amazon Scams. How to Shop Without Getting Hooked
- How to Check Whether Your Passwords Have Been Leaked (iPhone and Chrome)
- Show Me the Real Price. Every Time, Everywhere