During the holidays, online scams get worse, with nearly 30% of Americans targeted while shopping, according to the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report. Of those affected, 43% fell victim, especially on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas.
For some, it’s the season of shopping, and for others, the season of scamming. However, many scammers rely on the same tactics year after year. This post will guide you through the most common holiday scams to watch out for, with examples and tips to help you avoid falling victim.
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What Are Holiday Scams?
Holiday scams are scams that occur during festive seasons like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. These scams often appear through phishing emails, shopping websites, and social networks, where scammers take advantage of increased spending and the hunt for deals to deceive consumers with attractive promotions.
6 Common Holiday Scams to Watch Out for This Season
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but scammers take advantage of people’s generosity and festive spirit to scam them. Here are some of the most common holiday scams to watch out for so you can keep yourself safe and enjoy the festivities without any hitch:
1. Package Delivery Scams
With billions of packages shipped during the holiday season, it’s not surprising that scammers have set up multiple tricks related to deliveries. You might receive an email or text message asking you to click a link to update delivery dates, often appearing as fake UPS text messages, track the package, select payment preferences, or even pay a shipping fee.
How to identify package delivery scams?
- Look out for unexpected messages asking you to click on links or share personal information.
- Watch for poor grammar or unprofessional writing.
- Verify through the carrier’s official website using a known tracking number.
- Avoid requests for payment or sensitive data.
2. Missed Package Scams
Missing a package delivery can be frustrating, and cybercriminals know this. They might leave a note on your door claiming that they had a package for you that couldn’t be delivered, with a phone number to call to reschedule the delivery. If you call, however, you may be asked questions that could later be used to commit fraud.
How to identify missed package scams?
- Look for typos, generic wording, or unprofessional presentation in any notices.
- Legitimate delivery services provide detailed and specific information.
- Verify missed deliveries through the official customer service channels of the shipping company, using their verified contact information.
3. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular gift, but they are also a common target for scammers. You might receive an email that seems to be from someone you know, asking you to buy several gift cards for a work function or as a personal favor.
How to identify gift card scams?
- Be cautious of unwanted requests via email or text asking you to buy multiple gift cards for “legitimate” reasons.
- Watch out for messages that pressure you to make a quick purchase or buy large items.
- Always confirm requests directly with the sender by phone or in person.
4. Social Media Scams
Social media scams happen on platforms like Facebook or X, where scammers use fake giveaways, contests, or discounts to get users to share personal information, send money, or accidentally spread harmful software.
How to identify social media scams?
- Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, require upfront personal details, or urge quick action.
- Verify the account’s authenticity and look for grammatical mistakes.
- Legitimate contests won’t ask for payments or contain suspicious links; check community feedback for signs of legitimacy.
5. Phishing Scams
Holiday phishing scams are fake messages or websites posing as trusted sources to collect sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and credit card details. Scammers often send emails or texts that seem official, using holiday offers or urgent requests to get victims to share personal data.
How to identify phishing scams?
- Look for suspicious e-mails asking for personal information, like passwords or bank details.
- Be wary of misspelled URLs, poor grammar, and generic greetings.
- Always verify the sender by contacting the organization through official channels, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or file attachments.
6. Online Shopping Scams
During the holiday season, online shopping scams typically come up with fake websites or sellers offering great discounts, only to deliver fake goods, nothing at all, or steal personal and financial information. These sites usually have poor design, lack secure payment options, and promote deals that seem too good to be true.
How to identify online shopping scams?
- Check for websites with poor design, unusual URLs, and missing secure payment methods.
- Be skeptical of extreme discounts or deals that seem too good to be true.
- Research the site’s reputation through customer reviews and ratings, and avoid payments through insecure platforms or direct bank transfers.
Have questions about dealing with scams? Contact us for support.
How to Avoid Common Holiday Scams: 6 Security Tips
During the holiday shopping season, we can’t skip buying gifts for friends and family, but we can take a few precautions. Considering that in December 2023, Europol warned about more than 400 e-commerce websites hacked with malicious scripts, allowing scammers to steal debit and credit card information from shoppers, protect yourself from common holiday scams this way:
1. Verify Website Security
Secure that you only shop on secure websites. Look for a padlock symbol next to the URL, which indicates that the site has a valid security certificate. However, stay cautious and look for other signs that might suggest a website is fake—like poor spelling, strange formatting, or incomplete contact information.
2. Research Before You Buy
It’s essential to verify the legitimacy of retailers before making a buy. Check for reviews and complaints on trusted sites like the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker and Reddit. Stick to well-known retailers you trust, especially when deals from unfamiliar sources seem too good to be true.
3. Be Cautious with Communications
Avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown emails and texts, and don’t enter personal information through them. If you need to contact a company, type their website address directly into your browser to avoid being redirected to a fraudulent site.
4. Make Stronger Your Online Security
Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to amplify security. This increases the difficulty for hackers to access without authorization.
5. Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements. Look out for any unauthorized transactions and consider using services that offer 24/7 monitoring for unusual or fraudulent activities, as well as credit card fraud or fraudulent representation. For online shopping, use credit cards, as they offer better protection against fraud.
6. Educate Yourself All the Time
Stay informed about the latest scam trends, as scammers are constantly developing new tactics. Maintain a healthy level of caution when dealing with offers that seem too good to be true, and consider following the Cryptoscam Defense Network blog to stay updated on the most common scams year-round.
Holiday Shopping Safety: Protect Your Wallet with CDN’s Tips
Common holiday scams are likely to rise as the holidays get closer, so it’s a good time to stay alert and avoid becoming another statistic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that fraud losses reached $10 billion in 2023, a big rise from $2.4 billion in 2019.
Being a victim of fraud or scams is a difficult experience that most victims prefer to handle in silence. However, it’s much better to speak up and share your case, as this helps protect your friends and family. Our Cryptoscam Defense Network community is here to help you recover from this experience and shield you from future scams.
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- Community support: Share your experiences with people who understand.
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Be a part of the change. Your story matters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Common Holiday Scams
How Can I Spot a Fake Holiday Sale or Deal?
To spot a fake holiday sale or deal, look for signs like extreme discounts, poor website design, unprofessional grammar, or a lack of contact information. Be cautious of unfamiliar sellers and always research the retailer.
What is the Safest Payment Method for Holiday Shopping?
Credit cards are generally safer than debit cards for online shopping because they offer better fraud protection and more convenient dispute options. With a credit card, if you encounter unauthorized charges, you can often report them directly to your card issuer, who may immediately reverse the charges and investigate, reducing the risk of financial loss.
How do I Recover from a Holiday Scam?
If you’ve been scammed, report it to consumer protection agencies like the FTC and monitor your accounts for unusual activity. Join support communities like the Cryptoscam Defense Network for guidance, resources, and emotional support. These groups offer tools, tips, and updates on scams to help you recover and stay protected in the future.
Photos via Unsplash.
