Holiday Scam Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself from Holiday Scams

The holidays are filled with shopping, giving, and celebrating with family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s also the busiest time of year for cybercriminals and fraudsters. Scammers take advantage of the season’s generosity and the rise in online shopping to target unsuspecting victims. By learning how to spot the most common holiday scams, you can protect your money, your personal information, and your peace of mind.

1. Phishing Emails: Don’t Click Suspicious Links

One of the most common holiday scams involves phishing emails disguised as shipping updates, account alerts, or “too-good-to-be-true” holiday deals. These emails often use logos from major retailers like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx to appear legitimate.

Red flags to watch for:

• Spelling or grammar mistakes in the message.
• A sender email address that doesn’t match the company’s official domain.
• Multiple people listed as recipients on the email
• Urgent language asking you to “act now” or “verify your account.”

How to stay safe:
Instead of clicking links in the email, go directly to the company’s website or use its official app to track orders or confirm promotions. Never download attachments from unknown senders.

2. Gift Card Scams: Fake or Empty Cards

Gift cards are convenient and popular, making them a prime target for scammers. Some criminals sell counterfeit cards online, while others drain the balance before you can use them.

How scammers trick shoppers:

• Posting discounted cards on resale sites.
• Tampering with cards on store racks, recording the numbers, and waiting for them to be activated.

How to stay safe:

• Buy gift cards only from trusted retailers, either in-store or directly through their official website.
• If purchasing in-store, inspect the packaging carefully to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with; there should be no evidence of tears or scratching on the packaging.
• Keep your receipt—it may help recover funds if there’s a problem.

3. Fake Charities: Fraudulent Fundraising

During the season of giving, scammers often set up fake charities or impersonate legitimate ones to steal donations. They may contact you by phone, email, or social media, pressuring you to give quickly.

How to spot a fake charity:

• High-pressure tactics asking you to donate immediately.
• Vague details about how your donation will be used.
• Requests for donations through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

How to stay safe:
Research before donating. Look up the organization on websites like Charity Navigator or the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm legitimacy. Real charities are transparent and provide receipts for your contributions.

4. Porch Piracy: Protecting Delivered Packages

With online shopping at an all-time high, package theft, also known as porch piracy, is another growing holiday scam. Thieves follow delivery trucks or roam neighborhoods looking for unattended packages to steal.

How to protect your packages:

• Schedule deliveries for times when you’re home.
• Use secure pickup lockers or have packages delivered to your workplace if possible.
• Install a doorbell camera or ask a trusted neighbor to pick up packages if you’re away.
• Track shipments closely so you know when items are arriving.

Final Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams

Being cautious and informed is the best defense against holiday scams. Here are some general practices to keep in mind:

• Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
• Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
• Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, as they usually are.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

The holidays should be about joy and connection, not stress and scams. By staying alert and following these safety tips, you can keep your money, identity, and gifts secure.

For more information on how you can keep yourself protected, visit our Identity Theft Resources page.