The holidays bring out the best in people, but also the boldest attempts from scammers. With more spending, travel, and charitable giving, fraud rises sharply between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The good news: most scams follow predictable patterns, and with a little extra care, you can avoid them to enjoy a season of confident shopping, giving, and celebrating!
1. Fake Online Stores With “Holiday Mega Deals”
Scammers frequently build professional-looking websites or social media storefronts that advertise massive holiday discounts on popular items, such as electronics, designer clothing, toys, and more. These sites often use real product photos and polished branding, making them appear trustworthy at first glance. Once shoppers enter their card information, they either receive nothing at all or a cheap counterfeit product. Worse, the scammers may keep your card info and attempt additional unauthorized transactions.
Why it works: Holiday shoppers are often rushed and eager to stretch their budget, making “too good to be true” prices feel tempting.
✅ Stay safe:
Stick to retailers you know, check for verified reviews, and avoid unfamiliar sites with unusually steep discounts.
2. Delivery Alert Texts That Aren’t From UPS, USPS, or FedEx
During the holiday season, most people receive multiple packages, which gives scammers the perfect opportunity to send fake delivery notifications. These messages may claim your package is delayed, needs re-routing, or requires a small fee to complete delivery. Clicking the link leads to a website designed to steal your login credentials, personal information, or card number. Some links may even install malicious software on your device.
Why it works: With so many legitimate package alerts arriving this time of year, it’s easy to mix up which ones are real.
✅ Stay safe: Track packages by going directly to the retailer or carrier’s website, never through a link sent via unexpected text or email.
3. Requests to Pay With Gift Cards
Gift card scams come in many forms: a fake tech support agent, a fraudulent government representative, or even someone pretending to be a relative in trouble. The scammer creates urgency and insists payment must be made using gift cards, often Amazon, Apple, Google Play, or Visa gift cards. Once they have the codes, the money is untraceable and impossible to recover. These scams often catch people off guard by sounding official or emotionally charged.
Why it works: Fraudsters rely on pressure and fear, convincing victims that gift card payments are the quickest solution.
✅ Stay safe: No legitimate organization will ever ask for payment via gift cards. If someone demands this method, it is a scam.
4. Fake Charity Appeals That Take Advantage of Holiday Generosity
The holidays are a season of giving, and scammers use this goodwill to solicit donations through phone calls, emails, and social media campaigns. They may use names similar to well-known organizations or share heartwarming, but fabricated, stories to encourage quick donations. Some even create convincing websites with fake “donate now” buttons that steal card information. Victims believe they’ve helped a worthy cause, only to later learn the charity never existed.
Why it works: Emotional appeals combined with time-sensitive messaging make people feel compelled to act immediately.
✅ Stay safe:
Verify any charity before donating by searching its name online or checking trusted sites like Charity Navigator or Give.org.
5. “Easy Holiday Cash” Job Scams
This scam promises fast, flexible holiday income with minimal effort, like gift wrapping jobs, package processing roles, or work-from-home customer service gigs. After applying, the scammer may ask for personal information, banking details, or upfront payment for “training materials.” In other cases, they send a fake check for you to deposit and then request you to return part of the funds, leaving you responsible when the check bounces. These scams are particularly effective when people are searching for seasonal income.
Why it works: Offers of high pay for simple work appeal to individuals trying to boost their holiday budget.
✅ Stay safe: Research employers, avoid sharing sensitive information, and never accept jobs that require sending money or depositing checks on behalf of someone else.
6. Social Media Marketplace Sellers Who Vanish After Being Paid
Online marketplaces are convenient for finding gifts, winter gear, or in-demand electronics, but they also attract scammers. Fraudulent sellers may post photos of items they never plan to deliver, offering unbeatable prices to lure buyers. Once they receive electronic payment, they disappear: blocking the buyer, deleting listings, or shutting down their account entirely. Some even provide fake tracking numbers to delay suspicion.
Why it works: Limited inventory during the holidays makes buyers feel pressured to grab a deal quickly.
✅ Stay safe: Use secure payment options, meet sellers in public places, and be cautious of anyone refusing to allow local pickup.
7. Too-Good-To-Be-True Travel Deals
Scammers take advantage of holiday travel plans by advertising unbelievable prices on flights, hotels, or vacation packages. They may clone real travel websites or post fake rental listings, tricking families into paying deposits for trips that don’t exist. By the time travelers realize the booking is invalid, the scammer has vanished with their money. This can leave victims without lodging at a peak travel time and out hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Why it works: Travelers want to save money, and scammers know that discounted travel feels especially appealing during the holidays.
✅ Stay safe:
Book directly with reputable travel companies and confirm details independently before submitting payment.
Keeping Your Season Merry & Secure
Fraud attempts may increase during the holidays, but awareness is your strongest defense. By pausing before acting, double-checking unexpected messages, and monitoring your accounts, you can enjoy the season without worry. And if you ever notice suspicious activity, or if something simply feels off about a transaction, contact us before sharing payment details; we’re here to protect your finances and support you every step of the way!