The holiday season brings more online shopping, more charitable giving, and more generosity — and scammers know it. Fraud losses spike every November and December. Here are the scams to watch for and how to avoid every one of them.

1. Fake package delivery texts

During the holidays you're expecting packages — which makes the USPS/FedEx/UPS "your package is held" text much more believable. The scam works the same way year-round but catches far more victims in November and December. Never click links in delivery texts. Track packages directly at the carrier's official website.

2. Fake online shopping sites

Scammers create professional-looking websites selling popular gifts at deep discounts. The site takes your payment and either sends nothing, sends a cheap knockoff, or steals your credit card details. Before buying from an unfamiliar site, check it at the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker) and look for reviews on independent sites.

Red flags on shopping sites
  • Prices far below what any other retailer charges
  • No physical address or customer service phone number
  • Domain name registered recently (check at whois.domaintools.com)
  • No secure checkout (look for https:// and the padlock icon)
  • Only accepts wire transfer or gift cards

3. Charity fraud

Fake charities surge during the holidays, often mimicking the names of real organizations. Before donating, verify the charity at Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) or GuideStar. Give directly through the charity's official website — never through a link in an email or social media ad.

4. Gift card draining

In stores, scammers photograph gift card numbers and PINs before cards are sold. When you buy and load the card, they drain it immediately. Buy gift cards from behind the counter when possible, check that the PIN scratch-off area is intact, and prefer digital gift cards purchased directly from the retailer's website.

5. Fake prize notifications

"You've been selected as our holiday winner!" contests that require you to pay a fee, provide your bank details, or call a premium-rate number. You didn't enter a contest. You didn't win. Hang up or delete.

Holiday scam checklist
  • Track packages only at official carrier websites
  • Research unfamiliar shopping sites before buying
  • Verify charities before donating
  • Check gift card packaging for tampering
  • When in doubt — paste it into ProtectMyCircle

Written by Garland A. Hurt, Founder & Information Security Officer, ProtectMyCircle.

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