The holiday season is a time filled with celebration, generosity, and connection but unfortunately, it’s also a prime season for scammers. As people shop online, send money to loved ones, and donate to charities, cybercriminals ramp up their efforts to trick unsuspecting victims. Staying informed is your best defense. Below are the most common holiday scams to watch out for and practical strategies to keep your personal and financial information safe.
1. Fake Online Stores & Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
As shoppers search for the perfect gifts, fake websites pop up mimicking legitimate retailers. These fraudulent sites may offer steep discounts, exclusive holiday sales, or hard-to-find items at unbelievably low prices. Once you enter your payment information, the scammers disappear, often without sending any product.
How to Stay Safe
- Search for reviews outside the retailer’s website.
- Look for “https://” in the URL and a lock icon indicating secure encryption.
- Avoid deals that seem unrealistically cheap, especially for high-demand items like electronics and toys.
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards for added fraud protection.
2. Phishing Emails & Holiday-Themed Messages
Holiday-themed phishing emails often appear to come from known retailers, delivery companies, or even charitable organizations. The messages may claim a package can’t be delivered, your account needs verification, or you’re eligible for a holiday reward. Clicking the link may lead to malware installation or a fake login portal designed to steal credentials.
How to Stay Safe
- Hover over links before clicking to inspect the true URL.
- Be suspicious of missed delivery notices when you haven’t ordered anything.
- Never give out personal information via email, even if the message looks legitimate.
- Access your accounts directly through the official website rather than via email links.
3. Gift Card Scams
Scammers often trick victims into paying with gift cards because they’re difficult to trace. A common tactic is pretending to be a family member, employer, or government agency demanding that you purchase gift cards and give them the numbers on the back.
How to Stay Safe
- Remember that legitimate organizations will never request payment via gift cards.
- If someone claims to be a loved one in distress, call them directly to verify.
- Purchase gift cards directly from the retailer and inspect them for signs of tampering.
4. Charity Scams Targeting Holiday Goodwill
During the holidays, many people are inspired to give to charities. Scammers take advantage of this generosity by creating fake charities, using sound-alike names, or imitating well-known nonprofits. Their goal? Collect donations that never reach the intended cause.
How to Stay Safe
- Look up the charity on sites like Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, or GuideStar.
- Avoid donating through links received in unsolicited emails, messages, or social media posts.
- Ask for the organization’s EIN (Employer Identification Number) and confirm it online.
- Never feel pressured to donate on the spot.
5. Fake Shipping Notifications & Package Delivery Scams
With millions of packages in transit over the holidays, scammers send text messages or emails pretending to be UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon. The messages often claim there’s a delivery issue and prompt you to click a link to reschedule, leading to malware or data theft.
How to Stay Safe
- Track shipments only through the retailer’s website or the official carrier site.
- Don’t respond to unexpected delivery notices.
- Avoid clicking links in delivery texts, go directly to the official app or website instead.
6. Social Media Shopping Scams
Social platforms are filled with ads for unique holiday gifts, but many of these “shops” are either counterfeit operations or disappear after collecting payment. Some scammers also hijack verified accounts to promote fraudulent sales.
How to Stay Safe
- Investigate unfamiliar brands before ordering.
- Check for customer feedback, photos, and external reviews.
- If the page is newly created or lacks customer interaction, proceed with caution.
7. Fake Travel Offers & Vacation Rental Scams
The holiday season is also a major travel period, and scammers know it. Fraudulent travel deals, discounted airfare, and nonexistent vacation rentals become increasingly common. Victims often pay upfront only to find that the booking was never real.
How to Stay Safe
- Book travel only through reputable platforms or directly with airlines/hotels.
- Be wary of private listings requesting wire transfers or peer-to-peer payments.
- Verify the property’s legitimacy with reverse image searches or by contacting the owner directly.
8. Romance Scams During the Holiday “Loneliness Spike”
Scammers often use dating apps and social media to prey on individuals who may feel lonely during the holiday season. They build emotional connections and eventually request money for emergencies, travel expenses, or holiday needs.
How to Stay Safe
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Be cautious if your online connection avoids video calls or always has an excuse not to meet.
- Trust your intuition, if something feels off, it probably is.
Protecting Yourself Year-Round
While holiday scams surge during the winter months, staying safe online is a year-round effort. Keep your antivirus systems updated, use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your financial accounts regularly for suspicious activity.
Stay Secure with a Financial Partner You Can Trust
Keeping your money safe is easier when you have the right financial institution watching your back. North Jersey Federal Credit Union (NJFCU) offers secure online banking, fraud monitoring, and dedicated member support to help keep your finances protected during the holidays and beyond.
Stay safe and smart this holiday season, learn more or open an account today at NJFCU.
Related Reading
Vacation Loans vs. Credit Cards: What’s the Best Choice?
Holiday Loan Options: How Your Credit Union Can Help Make Your Wishes Come True
Maximizing Rewards: Using Your Credit Union Credit Card for Holiday Purchases