‘Tis the Season – for Scams
As shoppers rush to lock in deals and check names off holiday gift lists, fraudsters are working overtime. Recent data from TransUnion shows that digital fraud attempts in the U.S. jumped sharply — rising 4.4 percent during the 2024 holiday shopping season compared with the non-holiday period.
Before you lose your “holiday cheer,” keep in mind: scammers often exploit the rush — using phony discount sites, fake shipping alerts, phishing emails, and spoofed charities — knowing you’re distracted, busy, and maybe a bit less vigilant. So, as you deck the halls, be on the alert. Think twice before clicking, double-check unexpected requests, and treat every too-good-to-be-true deal like a snowflake — just because it looks light and pretty, it may melt into trouble.
Fraud.org is warning consumers to beware of the following 10 scams that you may encounter this time of year:
- Fake “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Deals – Deep discounts on luxury brands or electronics that never arrive.
- Counterfeit Products on Marketplaces – Fraudsters posing as legitimate sellers with knockoff goods.
- Gift Card Grifts – Used or drained cards, or scammers demanding payment via gift card.
- Phishing Emails and Texts – Fake order confirmations and delivery alerts that steal personal info.
- Charity Scams – Imposters preying on goodwill with fake donation appeals.
- Package Delivery Scams – Texts claiming “delivery issues” that link to phony tracking sites.
- Subscription Traps – “Free trials” that quietly charge recurring fees.
- Social Media Shopping Scams – Fraudulent ads or influencer posts for non-existent stores.
- Travel Deal Cons – Bogus vacation rentals or airfare “specials” that disappear after payment.
- Buy Now, Pay Later Pitfalls – Fake financing offers or hidden fee traps.
To better protect yourself, keep the following tips in mind:
- Stick to trusted retailers and check URLs before purchasing.
- Don’t pay for goods with cryptocurrency or peer-to-peer payment apps.
- Pay by credit card for better fraud protection and learn more about different payment methods.
- If something feels off, get a second opinion from someone you trust
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited texts or emails—go directly to the retailer’s site.
- Verify charities through databases like https://www.charitynavigator.org/ and the IRS’ tax-exempt organization search.
Reporting Scams
If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam:
- File a complaint at Fraud.org: We will share your complaint with our network of consumer protection agencies and law enforcement partners.
- Report it to the FBI: Use the IC3.gov website to report directly to the agency.
- Inform the FTC: File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
