Insider Risk Management & Data Protection

Cyber Threats That Peak on Black Friday

What CISOs and employees need to know

by Giulian Garruba

Nov 24, 2025

Key Points

The holiday shopping season is a prime time for cybercriminals
Phishing and brand impersonation scams account for many of the reported incidents during this time.
This year, AI-powered and deepfake-enabled scams are predicted to surge, making proactive human risk management essential for organizations.

Black Friday Scams: A Surge in Sophistication

Black Friday is notorious for a dramatic spike in cyber threats, as attackers exploit the rush for deals and the high volume of online transactions. Phishing emails impersonating major retailers, fake e-commerce sites offering “unbeatable” discounts, and fraudulent delivery notifications are especially rampant. The urgency and excitement of Black Friday make both employees and consumers more susceptible to clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information, putting organizations at heightened risk.

The Full Spectrum of Holiday Shopping Cyber Threats

Holiday shopping seasons—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas—are peak periods for a wide array of cyber threats. Here’s a comprehensive look at the scams on the rise:

Scam Type	How It Works	Why It Peaks During Holidays
Phishing and Brand Impersonation	Fake emails or messages from “trusted” retailers or delivery services, luring users to click malicious links or provide credentials.	High volume of legitimate notifications makes detection harder.
Fake Shopping Websites	Fraudulent e-commerce sites mimic real retailers, collecting payment info but delivering nothing.	Many new/unknown retailers appear for the season.
Social Media Shopping Scams	Fake deals, giveaways, or ads on social platforms lead to phishing or scam sites.	Viral sharing and rapid spread of offers.
Mobile App Fraud	Malicious apps disguised as shopping tools steal data or install malware.	Surge in new shopping apps and deal-finders.
Package Delivery Scams	Fake delivery notifications prompt data entry or malware downloads.	Spike in package tracking communications.
Gift Card Fraud	Scams involving purchase or resale of gift cards, or requests for gift card codes.	Gift cards are popular holiday gifts.

Top Five Holiday Shopping Scams: Quick Summary

Phishing Emails: Fake order or delivery notifications designed to steal credentials or payment information.
Fake Shopping Websites: Fraudulent online stores that mimic real retailers to steal money and data.
Social Media Scams: Posts or ads promoting fake deals or giveaways, leading to phishing or scam sites.
Mobile App Fraud: Malicious apps disguised as shopping tools, harvesting sensitive information.
Package Delivery Scams: Fraudulent notifications about delayed or held packages, used to phish or spread malware.

Trending Scam Predictions for This Year

Expect a surge in AI-powered phishing and deepfake-enabled social engineering. Attackers are using generative AI to craft hyper-personalized emails and deepfake audio/video to impersonate support agents or family members, making scams more convincing and harder to detect. Social media shopping scams on emerging platforms are also predicted to rise.

Why the Holiday Season Is So Risky

Increased transaction volume and a flood of new online stores make it easier for scams to blend in.
Lowered vigilance as shoppers rush to secure deals.
Emotional triggers like FOMO and limited-time offers are exploited to rush decision-making.
Employees shopping from work devices can expose organizations to additional risk.

How to Avoid Falling Victim: Practical Steps

Proactive, real-time intervention and user education are the most effective defences against holiday shopping scams.

For CISOs and Security Teams

Deploy unified security platforms with real-time behavioral analytics and risk scoring.
Monitor for risky behaviors such as clicking suspicious links or entering credentials on unknown sites.
Leverage solutions like Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center to deliver just-in-time guidance, escalate controls for high-risk users, and provide centralized visibility across email, chat, and file-sharing channels.
Educate employees on the latest scam tactics, including AI and deepfake threats, with ongoing, adaptive training.

For Employees

Be skeptical of unsolicited emails or messages, especially those about orders, deliveries, or gift cards.
Verify websites and apps before entering payment information; look for HTTPS and check for typos or unusual URLs.
Avoid clicking on links in emails or social media ads; navigate directly to retailer websites.
Don’t download shopping apps from unofficial sources.
Never share gift card codes or personal information in response to unexpected requests.

Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center: Your Holiday Security Ally

Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center empowers organizations to proactively manage human risk during the holiday shopping season. By combining real-time behavioral analytics, dynamic risk scoring, and just-in-time user interventions, the Mimecast Human Risk Command Center helps prevent shopping scams before they impact your business. This centralized, adaptive approach is essential for CISOs and security leaders seeking to reduce human risk and maintain resilience during periods of heightened cyber activity.

The Bottom Line

Phishing and brand impersonation are the most common holiday shopping scams.
AI-powered and deepfake-enabled scams are predicted to trend in 2025.
Unified, behavior-driven security platforms like Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center are critical for proactive protection.
Continuous education and real-time guidance are key to reducing human risk for both organizations and employees.

Stay vigilant, stay secure, and make the most of the holiday season—without falling for the scams.

For more information on how Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center and other solutions can help your organization, visit our website.