Nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. adults have been targeted by a holiday scam in the past year, according to a recent survey—and the pressure of the season makes us all more vulnerable to fraudsters.
“There’s a lot of hustle and bustle during the holiday season, so there’s a lot more opportunities for scammers to steal from us,” says Amy Nofziger, senior director of Fraud Victim Support at the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
The survey of nearly 2,000 adults revealed common schemes include fake shipping notifications, stolen packages and fraudulent charity requests.
Staying aware of common tactics can help you avoid becoming a victim, Nofziger says. Here are four types of scams her team is tracking this season.
Table of Contents
Scammers are temporarily opening stores on social media platforms, selling counterfeit branded clothing or jewelry and using stolen logos or similar domain names to appear legitimate. These stores often disappear shortly after an order is placed.
How to protect yourself: “If you’re using a vendor that you haven’t normally used, take the name of the vendor, put it in a new search, type the words ‘scam,’ ‘fraud’ and ‘complaint’ after it, and use other shoppers’ experiences with the company to guide your own,” Nofziger advises.
Using a credit card for online purchases offers greater consumer protections, allowing for easier dispute resolution and potential refunds if you fall for a scam.
Fake Gift Cards
Scammers may obtain gift card numbers and PINs before you purchase them, allowing them to drain the value instantly.
“They actually remove stacks of gift cards off of the card carousels, log every gift card number and PIN into their system, then load those gift cards back onto the carousels,” Nofziger explained.
Scammers can drain the funds before you even leave the store.
How to protect yourself: Nofziger recommends purchasing gift cards from the front of the store, where they are more visible, and opting for electronic gift cards when possible.
Fake Delivery Texts
Scammers exploit the increased package volume during the holidays by sending fake delivery notifications.
“They’ll send out fake notifications saying that they’re from a shipping company and that there’s a problem with your account,” like a missing address detail, she says. “But most of the time, if there’s a problem with a package, you will hear directly from the vendor.”
How to protect yourself: If you receive an unexpected text from a shipping company, contact the company directly through its official website or customer service line to verify the package’s status.
These texts are often phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information.
Travel Deals Too Good to Be True
The holidays often bring increased travel costs, leading some to seek online deals. However, Nofziger cautions against suspiciously low fares and unfamiliar travel websites.
Her team frequently receives reports of car rental scams. “People think they’re getting a great deal, but they have to prepay with a prepaid gift card,” she says. “Then they get to their location and there’s no car.”
How to protect yourself: Stick with travel vendors you trust and thoroughly vet any new websites before booking.
If you do fall victim to a scam, remember you’re not alone. “Be proactive and report it as quickly as possible,” says Nofziger. You can report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission and the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib, with art direction by Beck Harlan. We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected].
Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit.
