10 Holiday Scams to Protect Yourself From
The holidays are filled with shopping, travel, giving and celebration—but it’s also when scammers are the most active. Criminals take advantage of distracted shoppers, emotional generosity and rushed decisions. Many holiday scams look polished and convincing, often appearing to come from trusted companies or well-known charities. Understanding the most common types of holiday fraud can help you protect both your finances and your personal information during this vulnerable time of year.
1. Fake Online Storefronts
Scammers frequently launch professional-looking websites that advertise massive discounts on popular gifts such as gaming consoles, brand-name clothing or holiday décor. These sites often look legitimate at first glance but disappear after collecting payments. Warning signs include extremely low prices, no customer service contact information and payment pages that only accept peer-to-peer transfers or cryptocurrency. Before making a purchase, it’s wise to search for reviews of the store and confirm that the website has been around longer than a few weeks.
2. Credit Card Data Theft
During the holidays, stolen credit card information is often obtained through compromised websites, skimming devices or data breaches. Criminals use this information quickly to make purchases before victims notice. Shoppers should routinely check bank statements, avoid entering card numbers on unfamiliar websites and use secure payment tools whenever possible. Spotting unauthorized charges early is key to minimizing financial damage.
3. Phone Impersonation Scams
Fake customer service and government calls surge during the holidays. Scammers pose as delivery companies, bank fraud departments or even tax agencies, claiming there is an urgent issue that requires immediate payment. These calls often use fear and pressure to force quick decisions. Real companies do not demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency over the phone. Hanging up and contacting the organization directly is the safest response.
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4. Fake Charity Campaigns
Holiday generosity creates perfect conditions for charity scams. Fraudsters set up fake relief funds, toy drives and emergency assistance campaigns that appear genuine. They often operate through social media or phone calls and pressure donors to give immediately. A legitimate charity will always have a registered name, trackable history and official website. Taking a few minutes to verify the organization can prevent donations from going straight into a criminal’s pocket.
5. Gift Card Payment Schemes
Scammers love gift cards because the funds are difficult to trace and almost impossible to recover. Victims may be told they must pay a fee, settle a debt or claim a prize using gift cards. Once the card numbers are shared, the money is gone. No legitimate business, government agency or employer requires payment using gift cards under any circumstance.
6. Delivery and Package Notification Scams
Fake delivery messages appear as emails or texts claiming there is a shipping problem that requires confirmation or a small payment. The provided links often lead to phishing websites designed to steal login credentials or personal data. These messages are especially convincing during peak shipping season. The safest way to track packages is directly through the official carrier’s website or app.
7. Holiday Travel Booking Scams
Fraudulent travel deals, vacation rentals and airline promotions become more common during peak holiday travel months. Scammers steal photos from real listings and advertise them at deeply discounted rates. Victims are often asked to send deposits outside of trusted booking platforms. If a deal seems unusually cheap and the host refuses normal payment protections, it’s a serious warning sign.
8. Seasonal Employment Fraud
Holiday job scams target people looking for extra income through retail, shipping or remote work. Some scams involve fake checks, where the victim is instructed to refund part of the money before the check bounces. Others charge upfront fees for training or supplies. Legitimate employers do not require payment to start a job and will never send money before actual work begins.
9. Account Takeover Attacks
Criminals take advantage of password reuse across shopping, email and banking platforms. Once one account is compromised, scammers attempt to reset passwords and take over others. This often leads to unauthorized purchases and stolen rewards points. Using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication on all major accounts significantly reduces this risk.
10. Identity Theft During the Holidays
With more data being shared online during the holiday season, identity theft becomes more common. Stolen personal information may be used to open credit accounts, make large purchases or commit tax fraud. Victims often don’t find out until weeks later. Regularly checking credit reports and monitoring financial activity can help catch identity theft early.
The most successful holiday scams all rely on urgency, pressure and emotional manipulation. Scammers want you to act before you think. Slowing down, verifying requests through official channels and refusing to use unconventional payment methods are the most effective ways to stay protected.