9 Holiday Scams to Avoid This Season and How to Spot Them

Holiday shopping scams are getting harder to avoid. Nearly two in five people (39%) have experienced fraud when trying to buy a product through an online ad, according to AARP's 2025 survey, which we break down in our holiday scam statistics. Scammers are ramping up their tactics to catch busy shoppers, from fake delivery texts to social media ad scams and more.

Knowing how to spot a holiday scam and taking identity theft prevention measures are two simple ways to stay safe this season. Here are the nine most common holiday scams and how to avoid them.

9 holiday scams

Online scams happen year-round, but the gift-giving season presents unique challenges to staying safe online. From phishing scams to fraudulent customer support, here are the warning signs of the most common holiday schemes.

1. Phishing scams

Phishing scams during the holiday season look a lot like those during the rest of the year, but with a seasonal twist. Scammers send fraudulent text messages or emails pretending to be from legitimate sources like retailers or shipping companies.

They prompt you to click a link that takes you to a third-party site where the fraudster can steal your information or infect your device with malware.

Unsolicited texts or emails asking you to click a link usually indicate something phish-y is happening. Avoid clicking on links unless you're sure they're from a trusted retailer.

Scrutinize sender details. Scammers count on the holiday rush to catch you off guard. The email may look similar to one from a legitimate site, but a close look will reveal discrepancies or errors in the sender details.

Beware of urgent language or grammatical errors. Most major retailers won't have typos and will use punctuation correctly.

2. Fake ecommerce sites

In this popular holiday scam, fraudsters create fake websites or apps that mimic legitimate retailers. When you enter your payment information, you're handing your card details straight to the scammer. Some states see far more of this than others; see our breakdown of the states with the worst online shopping fraud.

Verify the URL before entering any payment information, and make sure there are no spelling errors. HTTPS is a good sign, but it isn't proof a site is legitimate, since scam sites can use it too. If you've never heard of the company, search for the retailer's name to see if you can find any reviews or complaints.

Use discretion when looking for online deals. If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. And if you use AI tools to shop, be aware of the security risks of AI shopping agents, which can be tricked into buying from fake sites.

3. Gift card scams

Scammers love gift cards because they work like cash, and getting money back after a scam is often impossible. In a holiday gift card scam, fraudsters may drain the balance on tampered cards, sell used or fake gift cards, or demand payment in gift cards.

Be wary of anyone requesting payment with a gift card. If you're buying gift cards from a third-party site, make sure it's reputable.

4. Charity scams

Scammers often exploit people's holiday giving spirit. According to AARP's 2025 survey, more than a third of people (35%) say they received a donation request in the past year that seemed fraudulent. These emails or texts may claim to raise funds for relief aid or community initiatives.

Like phishing scams, these messages may look legitimate, using professional-sounding names or even mimicking well-known organizations.

If you'd like to donate, give through well-known, established charity sites. You can verify a charity's legitimacy through the Better Business Bureau.

Avoid donating through unsolicited messages or social media links. As always, look for typos, grammatical errors, and anything that looks off.

5. Package delivery scams

Package delivery scams are some of the most common holiday scams. More than half of people (55%) say they've received a fake shipment notification from someone claiming to be from USPS, FedEx, or UPS, according to AARP's 2025 survey.

You may receive a text that appears to be from a shipping company claiming your package is undeliverable because of an incomplete address. The message includes a link to confirm your address or asks you to pay a fee to deliver the package.

Some scammers also stick fake failed delivery notices on front doors with a QR code to scan. Scanning the code can expose your device to malware or send you to a site that asks for your sensitive information.

If you receive an unexpected delivery text, don't respond or click any links. If you're waiting on a package, go directly to the shipping company's website and enter your tracking number to check its status.

6. Counterfeit goods scams

In this scam, fraudsters sell look-alike or knockoff items at brand-name prices. They may use stolen images from reputable brands to make the item look legitimate.

Many third-party sellers offer legitimate brands, but do your research before ordering. Check the seller history and read reviews.

Limited reviews or a short selling history are reasons to pause. Be cautious of prices that are much lower than expected, and always use a secure payment method like a credit card.

7. Social media ad scams

If you're scrolling through social media and see an ad promising a huge discount on a typically expensive item, it's likely a scam. More than half of Americans (54%) have made holiday purchases through social media ads, and fake shops and ads account for more than half of all scams detected on social media, according to Norton.

In a social media ad scam, a scammer creates a legitimate-looking ad to trick you into sharing personal information, clicking malicious links, or buying counterfeit products. They often use enticing offers, such as steep discounts or fake giveaways. Learn more about how fake ads slip through on major platforms.

It can be tricky to tell a fake profile from a real one, since scammers often use stolen images to mimic reputable brands. Watch for low engagement on posts or a burst of recent posts, which may signal a scammer trying to build a legitimate-looking profile quickly.

8. Fraudulent customer support scams

This scam isn't unique to the holidays, but the season is prime time because so many people are placing online orders.

Scammers pose as customer service representatives and reach out by phone, email, or text, claiming there's a problem with your order or account and offering to fix it. It works because many shoppers don't know what real support looks like. In AARP's 2025 survey, only 34% of people correctly answered that online retailers won't ask for their login information to provide customer support.

Be wary of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from customer support, especially if they pressure you to act immediately or ask for remote access to your device.

These fraudsters may also ask for payment through unusual methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers. If you notice any of these signs, hang up. Never share personal information until you've verified you're talking to a legitimate employee by contacting the company directly.

9. Travel scams

Holiday travel demand is high as people visit family and friends. Scammers take advantage by offering fake deals on flights, accommodations, or entire vacation packages. In AARP's 2025 survey, 14% of travelers reported experiencing fraud while booking a trip.

They lure travelers with fake listings and websites that mimic legitimate companies, then vanish once you've paid, leaving you without travel plans and with a hole in your wallet.

Toll scams are another growing travel threat. More than half of people (58%) received a scam text about an unpaid toll in the past year, according to AARP.

The biggest sign of a travel scam is a deal that's too good to be true. If a flight, hotel, vacation rental, or package is significantly cheaper than everywhere else, proceed with caution. Watch out for fake websites, phishing emails, and pressure to book quickly.

Holiday safety tips

Scammers are always lurking, but the holiday surge in online shopping gives them more opportunities to strike. Fortunately, protecting yourself online is simple and effective.

Follow these tips to stay safe online:

• Avoid public Wi-Fi. Use a virtual private network (VPN) if you have to use public Wi-Fi.
• When possible, pay with a credit card instead of your debit card.
• Be careful with payment apps, which offer fewer protections than credit cards. See our guide to Cash App holiday scams for common examples.
• Buy from trustworthy sites.
• Be wary of unsolicited contact.
• Don't share personal information via text or email.
• Monitor your bank accounts and statements, and turn on alerts to catch unauthorized charges quickly.
• Use strong, unique passwords and manage them with a password manager.
• Turn on two-factor or multi-factor authentication when possible.
• Keep your software updated.
• Consider identity theft protection to monitor your financial accounts for suspicious activity and help you recover if your identity is stolen.

I was scammed: What's my next step?

If you're the victim of a scam, don't panic. You can limit the damage and help stop the scammer, but you need to act quickly.

1. Call your bank and credit card companies immediately. Tell them you've been scammed and ask for the fraud department. They can freeze your accounts to prevent further charges and may be able to reverse fraudulent ones.
2. Change your passwords. Update your passwords for your online accounts, especially banking and email.
3. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new credit, and you only need to request it from one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian). A credit freeze blocks access to your credit report entirely, but you need to place it with each bureau separately.
4. File a report with the FTC and your local police department. Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission helps document the scam and protect future victims. Your bank may require a police report for its investigation.
5. Consider identity theft protection. An identity theft protection service can monitor your sensitive information, such as your Social Security number and bank account details, and alert you to attempts to use it.

Bottom line

Online shopping makes checking everyone off your gift list much easier, but it also opens you up to holiday scams. Stay vigilant while shopping, practice good online habits, and invest in one of the best identity theft protection services to help keep you safe through the holidays.

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