As we approach the holiday season, excitement and generosity are in the air. But along with the festive cheer, there’s also an uptick in scams that target holiday shoppers, travelers, and even charitable givers. Scammers know that during this time of year, people are often more relaxed, busy, and spending money—and they take full advantage of it.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common seasonal scams and how to stay safe so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season:
1. Phishing Emails and Fake Shopping Websites
The Scam: With Black Friday and Cyber Monday drawing close, many people are on the lookout for great deals. Scammers send out emails or social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers, offering huge discounts and urging recipients to act fast. These emails may link to fake websites designed to capture your credit card details or even install malware on your device.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify the URL before clicking. Scammers often use URLs that are slightly misspelled or unusual.
- Stick to reputable stores and go directly to the retailer’s official website rather than clicking on links.
- Use secure payment options and avoid entering payment details on websites that lack HTTPS (look for the padlock icon in the URL bar).
2. Fake Charity Appeals
The Scam: The season of giving inspires many people to donate to charities. Unfortunately, scammers prey on this goodwill by setting up fake charities or even impersonating well-known organizations. These fraudsters often use high-pressure tactics or emotional stories to get people to donate immediately.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Research the charity before donating. Legitimate charities will be registered and should be transparent about how donations are used.
- Visit charity watchdog sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to verify their legitimacy.
- If someone calls asking for donations, politely end the call and donate directly through the charity's official website instead.
3. Gift Card Scams
The Scam: Scammers might ask for payment in the form of gift cards, posing as a friend, family member, or even a company representative. Another version of this scam involves tampering with gift cards in stores. They steal card numbers and monitor them, waiting for someone to load funds on the card so they can quickly drain it.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never pay anyone in gift cards, especially if they ask for it over the phone or by email.
- Inspect gift cards carefully in stores for any signs of tampering before purchase.
- Keep receipts and, if possible, register the gift card on the retailer’s website to monitor activity.
4. Delivery Scams
The Scam: As online shopping peaks, many of us receive packages regularly, which scammers use to their advantage. Scammers might send fake delivery notification emails or texts, claiming there's an issue with a delivery. These messages often contain malicious links that ask for personal details or attempt to install malware.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious of unexpected notifications about package issues.
- If you receive a suspicious email or text, check your actual account on the retailer's website rather than clicking on links.
- Use tracking numbers provided directly by the retailer to confirm your package’s status.
5. Travel Scams
The Scam: As people make travel plans for the holidays, scammers advertise non-existent rental properties, “too-good-to-be-true” vacation packages, or even fake airline ticket booking sites. Victims end up paying upfront for services that don’t exist.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Book through reputable sites and avoid paying with bank transfers, which are difficult to trace.
- Research vacation rentals by reading reviews and checking the property on multiple booking platforms.
- Be cautious of unbelievably low prices—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
6. Social Media and Online Ad Scams
The Scam: Social media ads, often with “limited time” offers or heavily discounted prices, may redirect users to fake sites or result in products that are nothing like advertised. These scams are also common on auction sites and online marketplaces.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Read reviews and research unknown brands thoroughly before making a purchase.
- Stick to known brands and retailers when possible.
- Be wary of ads and posts that require immediate action or only allow you to purchase via social media.
7. Unsolicited "Friend" Requests and Imposter Scams
The Scam: Scammers create fake profiles or impersonate people you know, sending friend requests or direct messages. They may ask for personal information, share phishing links, or ask for financial help.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious with new friend requests from people you don’t recognize or duplicate requests from people already on your list.
- Verify the identity of anyone who reaches out asking for money or personal information by contacting them directly through a different channel.
- Report fake profiles to the social media platform immediately.
The holiday season should be a time of joy and celebration, not stress and worry over scams. By staying informed about these common holiday fraud tactics, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones. Take the time to double-check websites, scrutinize emails and offers, and ensure your money is going toward reputable businesses and causes.
Keep These Scams in Mind as You Shop, Give, and Travel
Being alert to seasonal scams can help ensure you avoid falling victim to these schemes. Happy holidays, and stay safe!
