The holidays bring joy and time with loved ones, but they also bring out those who try to steal that joy through holiday scams like fake online deals, phishing emails and package delivery fraud. Scammers are finding more creative and realistic ways to target shoppers and steal their personal information.
These are some of the most common holiday scams happening now.
Online shopping fraud
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Did you spot a great deal on a luxury item while scrolling on social media? It might include product pictures, top-rated reviews and, of course, an offer to get the item at a great price. These ads often lead to a fake website designed to steal your personal information. When shopping online, be wary of ads and deals that seem too good to be true.
Phishing scams
Phishing scams are realistic emails or texts featuring order confirmations, invoices or requests to verify your personal information. They look like they’re from legit companies that you do business with, so they don’t initially look sketchy but there are clues. Look out for suspicious email addresses, grammatical errors, or a sense of urgency in their tone.
Package delivery scams
With so much holiday shopping taking place online, it’s not uncommon to be expecting package deliveries, and sophisticated thieves are taking full advantage of the chaos. Scammers send package delivery confirmations by email or text, tricking you into clicking links that either request sensitive information or install malware on your device. Stay safe, avoid clicking on unexpected links. Instead track your packing directly through the retailer where you purchased your items.
How to avoid falling victim to holiday scams
With so many holiday scams targeting you, it can feel overwhelming trying to avoid them all. However, there are some simple steps you can take to thwart efforts to do you harm:
- Verify their authenticity. If you receive an unexpected text or email from a well-known company, check the email address or phone numbers to ensure they are legit. Don’t click on any links in the text or email, but instead go to the company’s website and see if the information matches up. You also can call the company’s customer service number to verify if an email or text is legit.
- Be wary of a great deal. The old adage, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is,” is especially applicable during the holiday season.
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi. While convenient, these unsecured networks leave your data at the mercy of hackers. If you must use public Wi-Fi take precautions and use a VPN or wait until you’re on a secure network before entering personal information.
- Shop only from reputable sites. If you’re not familiar with a merchant, do your research. If you have trouble finding detailed information on the company such as where it’s located and who owns it, stick to companies you know.
- Beware before sending money through apps. While many sites accept Apple Pay, PayPal or other apps, verify you’re sending money to a legitimate merchant before making any payment. Once you do, you may not have any remedy for getting it back.
Related Content
-
The Original Property Tax Hack: Avoiding The ‘Window Tax’Property Taxes Here’s how homeowners can challenge their home assessment and potentially reduce their property taxes — with a little lesson from history.
-
Is Mint Mobile's Home Internet a Game-Changer or Just Another Option?Mint Mobile recently unveiled its new home internet service. We break down how it works so you can determine if it's a great value for your needs.
-
Is Mint Mobile's Home Internet a Game-Changer or Just Another Option?
Mint Mobile recently unveiled its new home internet service. We break down how it works so you can determine if it's a great value for your needs.
-
From Camping to Boating: Here's How to Stay Connected Off-GridThere's nothing quite like the peace of off-road adventures. However, ensure you have a stable connection in case you need it.
-
How to Protect Your Home From Keyless Break-insWhile smart locks enhance home security, skilled intruders may bypass them. Here's how to strengthen your defenses.
-
Sam's Club Extends A Popular Shopping PerkSam's Club has adopted a new policy on Sundays and holidays. Learn what it is and how to save on a membership.
-
I Found the Best Gifts Under $50 and None of Them Feel CheapAmazon October Prime Day is the perfect chance to nab some under-$50 gifts that feel more expensive than they are (because normally they would be).
-
I Work From Home, and These Are the Best Home Office Upgrades From October Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day SalesSpruce up your office for less with these sales. You could also qualify for tax credits with some upgrades.
-
The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals for Travel Accessories, Suitcases and MoreOn the final day of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, skip the fluff — here’s how to extract real travel value via gear and strategic credit cards.
-
Amazon AI on Prime Day: Deal Helper or Upsell Machine?Amazon’s Rufus chatbot, Alexa voice deals and Amazon Lens can change how you shop on Prime Day. Here’s how to use them wisely — and avoid being upsold.
