Holiday Scams are on the Rise This Season

According to the FTC, consumers lose tens of millions of dollars each year to holiday-related fraud. We’ve rounded up some practical tips to help keep yourself safe and your holiday celebrations merry and bright.

Holiday Scams to Avoid:

1. Fake Online Stores

Scammers create websites that look polished and professional, but once you make a purchase, nothing ever ships—and your card information may be stolen for additional fraud. These sites often use misspelled URLs, discounted luxury items, or limited-time holiday “flash sales” to lure shoppers in.

How to stay safe: Always check the URL for typos, shop only from trusted retailers, and pay with a credit card when possible so you have added protection if something goes wrong.

2. Social Media Shopping Scams

As soon as popular gifts sell out, scammers swoop in with ads promoting “in-stock” items at unbelievable prices. Many of these ads look legitimate, complete with fake comments, borrowed photos, and copied branding. Once you pay, the seller disappears—or worse, collects your personal information for later misuse.

Before you click “buy”: Verify the seller outside the platform. Visit the merchant’s official website directly, review ratings on the BBB or other independent sites, and be extra cautious with deals that seem too good to be true.

3. Delivery or Shipping Texts

This is one of the most common holiday scams, especially when everyone is tracking multiple packages at once. Scammers send texts or emails claiming your delivery is delayed, requires additional postage, or couldn’t be dropped off. The message may look like it’s from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon—but the link often leads to a fake login page designed to steal your account credentials, credit card information, or even your identity.
You might also see messages urging quick action, such as “Your package is on hold” or “Delivery failed—update your address.”

Protect yourself:

• Never click on links in unsolicited delivery messages.
• Go directly to the carrier’s official website or app to check your tracking number.
• If you didn’t order anything, treat the message as a red flag.

4. Charity Scams

Scammers frequently exploit holiday generosity by creating fake charities or impersonating real ones. They use emotional stories, urgent pleas, or high-pressure tactics to get you to donate on the spot—often through links that steal your payment information.

Give safely: Research organizations before donating, use trusted resources like Give.org or the IRS charity lookup, and donate directly through the charity’s verified website. Avoid paying by wire transfer or gift card—no legitimate nonprofit will ask for these methods.
 

5. “Free” Gift Card Offers

During the holidays, inboxes and social feeds fill with promises of “free gift cards” in exchange for taking a survey, clicking a link, or updating an account. These offers are typically phishing attempts designed to trick you into sharing personal information or entering your card details.

Your rule of thumb: Treat every unsolicited gift card offer as suspicious. Don’t click links, mark the messages as spam, and verify any promotion directly with the company before participating.

Remember:

If something feels rushed, urgent, or too good to be true, pause and verify before taking action. Staying alert is the best gift you can give yourself this season.

If you suspect you have been targeted in a scam, contact Sandia Area right away.

Find more tips and resources to stay safe from fraud and scams in our Financial Fraud and Security Center.