How to Protect Yourself from Holiday Scams

The holidays bring a lot of good things — time with family, gift-giving, and gratitude. But they also bring scammers. With more online shopping, package deliveries, and digital messages flying around, it's easier for fake offers and suspicious links to slip through. 

Last year, non-payment and non-delivery schemes cost everyday people over $785 million, as reported by the Internet Crime Complaint Center. 

Even the most cautious people can find themselves second-guessing what’s real and what isn’t. Luckily, you can stay protected and enjoy the season with an idea of what common holiday scams can look like. 

Why scams are common around the holidays 

Scammers aren’t random. They’re strategic. They take advantage of busy schedules, tighter budgets, and the surge in online shopping to trick you into sharing personal information. 

Scams tend to increase during the holidays because: 

• You’re busy. Shopping, planning, working … your attention is divided, and your guard is down.
• You’re spending more. More purchases mean more tracking numbers, more delivery updates, and more opportunities for fake alerts.
• You’re generous. Charity campaigns are everywhere this time of year, and scammers create fake ones to exploit your kindness.
• You’re looking for extra income. Seasonal job postings attract people trying to supplement their income, and scammers post fake listings that seem legit. 

5 common holiday scams to watch out for 

Scammers use different tactics, but most scams follow the same pattern of urgency, emotional pressure, and requests for sensitive information. 

Fake shipping notifications and delivery updates 

You get a text claiming to be from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Amazon. It says your package is "held," "delayed," or needs more info. You might even get a message about a package you never ordered. 

This is called smishing, or SMS phishing. Scammers use text messages because you're more likely to see them and click before thinking. 

Smishing is a scam that uses text messages to trick people into sharing personal information, clicking unsafe links, or making unneeded payments. 

🚩Red flags: 

• Links that go to unfamiliar websites
• Urgent language ("Act now!" "Confirm immediately!")
• Requests for payment, login info, or personal details
• Phone numbers or email addresses that don't match the company 

✅What to do: Look up your tracking info directly on the carrier's official website. Don't use any links from the text. If something feels off, it probably is. 

Charity scams 

The holidays bring out generosity, and scammers know it. They often create fake nonprofits or copy the name and logo of well-known charities to make them seem legit, making you think you’re donating to a good cause. 

🚩Red flags: 

• Pressure to donate right now
• No clear mission statement
• No tax ID number
• Requests to donate through gift cards, wire transfers, or unusual platforms 

✅What to do: Before you donate, verify the organization through trusted databases like Charity Navigator or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. 

➢RELATED: 10 Heartfelt Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

Seasonal job posting scams 

A lot of people look for part-time work or temporary income options to fund extra costs during the holiday season — and scammers know it. They’ll post fake job listings that appear to come from real companies. 

These scams might ask for money upfront (for “equipment” or “training”), or they might collect personal information early in the “hiring” process. 

🚩Red flags: 

• Interviews only through text or email
• Pay that seems too good to be true for the work
• Requests for your Social Security number before you’re hired 

✅What to do: Always check the employer’s official career page. If the job isn’t listed there, it’s not real. 

➢RELATED: New Job, New Scams: Why Teens Are a Growing Target

Fake giveaways and holiday contests 

You get a message saying "Congratulations, you won!" even though you never entered anything. The message might be about a gift basket, electronics, or a holiday raffle. 

🚩Red flags: 

• Winning announcements out of nowhere
• Direct messages from unverified accounts
• Links asking for personal or banking information
• Pressure to “claim your prize” quickly 

✅What to do: Don't click any links or share information. If you actually have entered an official giveaway, make sure they’re contacting you through official channels, not social media. 

Counterfeit holiday products 

Holiday deals are tempting, but unbelievably big discounts could mean you’re not getting a legit item. Fake electronics, toys, décor, and branded clothing are common online. These products are usually low quality, unsafe, or part of a larger identity theft scheme. 

🚩Red flags: 

• Prices that don’t match what you see elsewhere
• Product listings with misspelled descriptions
• Sellers with no reviews or unfamiliar brand names
• Listings on unfamiliar marketplaces 

✅What to do: Buy directly from brand websites when you can. It’s the easiest way to avoid counterfeits. 

➢RELATED: 8 Tactics Retailers Use to Boost Holiday Sales (and Bust Your Budget)

Simple ways to protect your personal and financial information 

You don't need to be a security expert. These small habits can protect you during the holidays and year-round: 

• Pause before clicking. Scammers rely on urgency to get quick reactions. Take a breath and think.
• Go straight to the source. Don't use links from texts or emails. Visit the company's website directly or call them.
• Use strong, unique passwords. Holiday shopping often means new accounts, so secure them from the start.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication. It adds an extra layer of protection.
• Keep software updated. Updates often fix security issues that scammers try to exploit.
• Monitor your bank and credit card accounts. Early detection can prevent bigger problems. 

What to do if you think you’ve been targeted 

If you think you’re tangled up in a holiday scam, acting fast is the most crucial step to getting your money back. Here’s what to do: 

• Stop communicating with the scammer immediately.
• Change your passwords for any accounts that might be involved.
• Contact your bank or card issuer to report suspicious activity.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the delivery carrier, or the platform where it happened.
• Consider a credit freeze if you think your identity is at risk. You can do this for free through the three major credit bureaus. 

The holidays bring a lot of financial pressure, whether it's from scams, last-minute shopping, or other surprises. If you're facing extra costs this season and need temporary support, explore your financial options with Advance America. 

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