The Dark Side of the Holiday Season: How to Stay Safe from Scammers

The end of year holiday season should be a time for joy and generosity. Families gather, gifts are exchanged, and goodwill fills the air. But beneath the twinkling lights, there’s a darker side to the holidays—a side that opportunistic scammers eagerly exploit. As a Trust and Safety professional with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the busy holiday season creates the perfect environment for fraud.

With more people shopping online for the best deals, rushing to book travel, and donating to charitable causes, scammers are quick to craft schemes that prey on our emotions, distractions, and sense of urgency the end of the year brings. In this article, I’ll highlight the most common holiday scams, explain how they work, and offer practical advice on how to protect yourself and your loved ones. As you prepare to embrace the joy of the season, let’s also stay vigilant and ensure that you can enjoy a scam-free holiday.

1. Shipping Scams: Fake Delivery Notifications

With the rise of online shopping, shipping-related scams have become increasingly common during the holiday season. Scammers often impersonate well-known courier and postal services to trick you into providing personal information or downloading malicious software.

• How it works: Scammers send fake emails, SMS/text or WhatsApp messages claiming to be from trusted carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL. These messages will create a sense of urgency. They may claim that your package is delayed, that you need to pay additional shipping fees, or that you must verify your address. Clicking on links in these messages could lead to malicious websites designed to steal your data or install malware on your device.
• Red flags to watch for: Look for messages with spelling or grammatical errors, or suspicious links and email addresses that don’t match the official delivery company’s domain. Also, beware of unsolicited notifications, especially if you’re not expecting a package.
• Prevention: Always track your packages directly through the official website of the delivery company. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited messages, even if they appear to be from a trusted source.

2. Online Shopping Scams: "Too Good to Be True" Deals

The holiday season is synonymous with shopping, and scammers know this. Many fraudulent websites or social media ads promise unbelievable discounts on high-demand items, knowing legitimate retailers also are running Black Friday and End of Year sales to capture the holiday gift rush, only to take your money without delivering the goods.

• How it works: Scammers create fake e-commerce sites or social media ads that look like legitimate retailers, offering high-end products at very tempting prices. When you attempt to make a purchase, you may either receive counterfeit products, no products at all, or have your payment information stolen and used for further fraud.
• Red flags to watch for: Unrealistically low prices (e.g., 70% off the latest smartphone), or unfamiliar website domains (e.g. http://amazonsgifts.com/ instead of Amazon.com).  
• Prevention: Stick to trusted, well-known retailers, especially during the busy holiday season. If you come across a new site, research customer reviews on well known platforms like www.trustpilot.com . Use secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards, which offer buyer protection.

3. Charity Scams: Giving Under False Pretenses

The holiday season is a time of charitable giving, but unfortunately, it’s also a prime opportunity for fraudsters to exploit people’s generosity. Fake charities are designed to tug at your heartstrings, especially during the season when many are focused on giving back.

• How it works: Fraudsters create fake charity websites or make unsolicited calls claiming to collect donations for causes that align with the season—like providing gifts for children or supporting disaster relief. They may even impersonate legitimate charities to trick you into donating money that will never reach the cause you care about. 
• Red flags to watch for: Requests for donations via unsolicited emails, social media, or phone calls, especially from organizations you don’t recognize or that are only active during the holidays. Look for a sense of urgency, such as claims like, "Help now before time runs out!"
• Prevention: Always verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating, and be wary of charities you’ve never seen before. Avoid clicking on donation links in unsolicited emails or texts, and consider donating directly through the charity’s official website. Not sure if it’s a real charity? Leverage established resources like Charity Navigator or the IRS Tax Exempt Search Tool. 

4. Gift Card Scams: The Holiday Gifting hoax

Gift card scams have surged in recent years, with scammers often preying on unsuspecting consumers during the holidays. These fraudsters either sell entirely fake gift cards, or copy legitimate card numbers and activation codes before resealing the package. Once the card is loaded with money, the funds go to the scammers.

• How it works: Scammers often manipulate gift cards in two key ways. One method involves recording the activation code on a card or placing a fake barcode sticker over the original barcode. This allows them to load the funds onto their own card as soon as you make the purchase, leaving the gift card you buy empty or invalid when you or the recipient try to use it. Another common scam occurs when fraudsters offer discounted gift cards for sale online or through social media platforms. Once the transaction is complete, the scammer either pockets the funds or resells the cards.
• Red flags to watch for: Inspect physical gift cards for signs of tampering, such as resealed or opened packaging, or cards with strange stickers covering the barcode. Be cautious of sellers offering gift cards at prices that seem "too good to be true," and avoid purchasing from unverified sources, including social media groups, auction sites, or unfamiliar websites.
• Prevention: Before buying a physical gift card, examine it closely for signs of tampering, such as scratched-off areas. Opt for stores that display their gift cards in secure locations, like behind the counter. When purchasing virtual gift cards, always buy directly from the retailer's official website and steer clear of unauthorized sources. 

5. Travel Scams: The Discounted Holiday Getaway Trap

Holiday travel is a time-honored tradition, but scammers often use this busy period to exploit people’s desire for discounted flights and vacation packages.

• How it works: Scammers advertise too-good-to-be-true deals on travel sites, email, or social media, offering steep discounts on flights, hotels, or vacation packages. They may pose as well-known travel agencies or offer “limited-time holiday specials.” To secure the deal, they ask for upfront payment or personal details like your passport number or credit card information. Once they’ve collected your payment, they either disappear, fake bookings, or use your personal information to commit more fraud.
• Red flags to watch for: Unsolicited offers for travel deals that seem too good to be true. Requests for full payment upfront or for personal information that you wouldn’t typically need to provide in order to book a trip. Also, be wary of unfamiliar agents or agencies you've never heard of.
• Prevention: Always book directly through reputable travel agencies, airline websites, or well-known booking platforms. Research unfamiliar agencies and verify their contact details. If the deal seems unusually cheap, take extra time to look up reviews and confirm the legitimacy of the agency. Never pay for travel via wire transfer or gift cards—use a credit card for added protection.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Holiday Scams

The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also important to stay vigilant and safeguard your personal information. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself:

• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Create strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store these passwords for your shopping, banking, email, and other important accounts.
• Monitor your financial statements regularly to spot any unusual activity.
• Educate your family and friends, particularly older adults who are often more vulnerable to scams.

As we embrace the holiday season with all its joy and generosity, let's also take proactive steps to protect ourselves and those we care about from those who would exploit our goodwill for their own gain. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy a scam-free holiday season!

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