​The holiday season is a time for celebration, generosity, and connection, but unfortunately, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers. As online shopping, travel, and charitable giving increase, so do opportunities for fraud. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence (AI), impersonation, and social engineering, to deceive consumers. Here are six common scams to watch for this holiday season and how to protect yourself.

1. Fake Online Retail Stores

Scammers create realistic-looking websites and social media advertisements that imitate legitimate retailers. These fraudulent sites often promote significant discounts on popular gifts, electronics, and luxury goods. After making a purchase, shoppers may receive counterfeit merchandise, nothing at all, or have their payment information stolen.

How to stay safe:

• Shop through trusted retailers and verify unfamiliar websites before purchasing.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements; visit the retailer’s official website directly.
• Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true.

2. Delivery Notification Scams

With holiday packages arriving daily, scammers send fraudulent text messages and emails claiming a delivery has been delayed, an address needs updating, or a small fee must be paid. These messages often contain links to convincing fake websites designed to collect personal or payment information.

How to stay safe:

• Avoid clicking links in unexpected delivery notifications.
• Verify shipping information directly through the retailer or delivery company’s official website or app.
• Be suspicious of unexpected requests for payment or personal information.

3. Gift Card Scams

Gift cards remain a popular target for fraud. Scammers may tamper with physical cards before purchase or impersonate businesses, government agencies, or even family members to demand payment through gift cards.

How to stay safe:

• Never use gift cards to pay taxes, fines, or unexpected bills.
• Purchase gift cards from reputable retailers and inspect them for signs of tampering.
• Never share gift card numbers or PINs with someone requesting payment.

4. Charity Scams

The holidays inspire generosity, but scammers take advantage of charitable giving by creating fake organizations or impersonating legitimate charities. Fraudulent appeals may arrive through emails, text messages, phone calls, or social media, often creating a sense of urgency.

How to stay safe:

• Verify charitable organizations using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
• Donate directly through the charity’s official website rather than unsolicited links.
• Be cautious of high-pressure requests for immediate donations.

5. AI-Powered Phishing and Deepfakes

AI technology allows scammers to create convincing emails, text messages, videos, and even cloned voices. A fraudulent call may sound like a family member experiencing an emergency, while a fake message may appear to come from a trusted financial institution. These scams can be especially difficult to recognize because messages may appear professional and contain familiar personal details.

How to stay safe:

• Independently verify unexpected requests for money or sensitive information, even when they appear to come from someone you know.
• Contact family members or financial institutions using a trusted phone number, not one provided in a suspicious message.
• Be particularly cautious of urgent requests involving wire transfers, account information, or changes to payment instructions.

6. Travel Scams

Holiday travelers may encounter fraudulent vacation rental listings, discounted airfare offers, and fake booking websites. Scammers sometimes copy legitimate listings or create convincing confirmations to trick travelers into sending payments.

How to stay safe:

• Book through reputable travel websites and verify reservations directly with the provider.
• Avoid paying for travel arrangements using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unexpected wire transfer requests.
• Review listings carefully and be skeptical of unusually low prices.

Final Tips for a Scam-Free Holiday

• Pause before acting. Scammers frequently create urgency to prevent you from verifying information.
• Use secure payment methods. Credit cards generally offer stronger protections against fraudulent purchases.
• Enable multifactor authentication. Add an extra layer of protection to financial, email, and shopping accounts.
• Monitor your accounts. Review transactions regularly and promptly report suspicious activity.
• Report suspected fraud. Contact your financial institution immediately if money or account information has been compromised. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

By staying informed, verifying unexpected requests, and taking a few simple precautions, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud this holiday season.

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