Top Holiday Scams of 2023 and How to Avoid Them

December 12, 2023  3 min read

The festive season brings not only joy and celebration but also a lurking danger in the form of sophisticated scams. In 2023, these holiday scams have evolved, becoming more cunning and convincing, making it increasingly challenging to distinguish between genuine offers and deceptive traps. With the rise of online shopping, digital transactions, and social media interactions, scammers have found new and inventive ways to exploit the festive spirit.

The scams are often disguised as irresistible offers, charity appeals, or urgent notifications, so they take advantage of us. There are a lot of fraudsters at work during the holiday season, from phishing emails that mimic your favorite brands to too-good-to-be-true travel deals that disappear. It’s easy to get blinded by a great deal or emotional appeal of a charity, leading even the most cautious of us into risky situations.

There’s no need to worry! With awareness and knowledge, you won’t fall victim to these scams during the holidays. Here are some of the most common holiday scams for 2023, so you know how to avoid them. Whether it’s an email in your inbox or an email asking for a gift card, you’ll know how to spot and avoid these scams. Here’s to making your holiday season merry, bright, and scam-free!

Phishing Emails and Messages

Phishing scams are one of the most common and dangerous forms of cyber fraud. These scams involve sending emails or messages that appear to be from reputable sources, such as well-known brands, banks, or even government agencies. The goal is to trick you into revealing personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Suspicious Email Addresses: The sender’s email might look similar to a legitimate address but with subtle differences.
2. Generic Greetings: Phishing emails often use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.
3. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Professional companies rarely send out emails with poor grammar or spelling errors.
4. Unsolicited Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations typically don’t ask for sensitive information via email.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Verify the Source: If you’re unsure about an email’s legitimacy, contact the company directly using information from their official website.
2. Don’t Click on Suspicious Links: Hover over links to see where they lead before clicking. If in doubt, don’t click.
3. Use Anti-Phishing Tools: Most email services have built-in security features that warn you of suspicious emails.
4. Regularly Update Security Software: Keep your antivirus and anti-malware software updated to protect against the latest threats.

Phishing scams are a serious threat, especially during the holiday season when people are more likely to shop online and respond to promotional emails. Staying vigilant, knowing what to look for, and practicing safe online habits can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams. We’ve covered more about  this topic in our article Understanding phishing & how to stay safe online

Fake Shopping Websites

During the holiday season, scammers take advantage of the increased online shopping activity by creating fake shopping websites. These sites are designed to mimic legitimate online retailers, often copying the design, layout, and branding of well-known stores to deceive consumers. They may advertise popular, high-demand items at significantly lower prices to lure shoppers looking for great deals.

Red Flags to watch for:

1.  Unusually Low Prices: If the prices are significantly lower than what you would find elsewhere, especially for high-demand or branded items, it’s a potential warning sign.
2. Poor Website Design: Look for poor grammar, spelling errors, and low-quality images. Legitimate businesses typically invest in a professionally designed, error-free website.
3. Lack of Contact Information: Authentic stores usually provide clear and multiple ways to contact them, including physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Be wary if this information is missing or looks suspicious.
4. Non-Secure Websites: Check for a secure connection. Websites that start with “https://” are generally secure. A padlock symbol in the address bar also indicates a secure site. Avoid websites that lack these security features.
5. Strange Domain Names or URLs: Be cautious of websites with strange or excessively long URLs, especially those that try to imitate known brands (e.g., variations in spelling or domain type).
6. Pressure to Complete Immediate Transactions: If there’s an undue urgency to complete the purchase immediately, it might be a tactic to rush you into a decision without proper scrutiny.
7. Unusual Request for Personal Information: Be wary if the site asks for more personal information than is usual for a purchase, like social security numbers or other sensitive data.
8. Poor Return or Exchange Policies: Legitimate sites usually have clear return and exchange policies. If these are vague, non-existent, or overly restrictive, it’s a potential red flag.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Before making a purchase, research the website. Look for reviews from other users or check for reports of scams involving the site.
2. Always use a credit card or secure payment service for online purchases. These often offer buyer protection and easier recourse in case of fraud.
3. By being aware of these red flags, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fake shopping website scams. Remember, if you’re unsure about a website, it’s better to err on the side of caution and avoid making a purchase.

Delivery Scam Alerts

Delivery scams involve fake notifications about package deliveries. These scams are common during holidays due to the high volume of online shopping. Scammers may send emails, texts, or even call, claiming there’s an issue with a delivery (like unpaid shipping fees) or that personal information is needed to complete the delivery.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Unexpected messages about deliveries, especially if you’re not expecting a package.
2. Requests for payment or personal information to release a package.
3. Links in messages that lead to unfamiliar websites.
4. Poor grammar or spelling in the messages.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Verify the delivery by checking directly with the courier company using a trusted contact method.
2. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages.
3. Be skeptical of any request for payment or personal details via email or text message.
4. Keep track of your orders and expected deliveries through the retailers’ or couriers’ official apps or websites.

Social Media Shopping Scams

Social media platforms are often used by scammers to advertise counterfeit or non-existent products. These scams prey on consumers looking for good deals, especially on trendy or high-demand items.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Advertisements for products at prices significantly lower than the market rate.
2. Sellers with limited or no online presence outside of the social media platform.
3. Lack of detailed product information or poor-quality images.
4. Negative comments or reviews about the seller or product on the ad.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Research the seller, looking for additional information and reviews outside of the social media platform.
2. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
3. Use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.
4. Check the social media platform’s policy on fraud and how they protect their users.

Charity Scams

Charity scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate charitable organizations to solicit donations. These scams are particularly prevalent during the holiday season when people are more inclined to donate.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Unsolicited donation requests via email, social media, or phone calls.
2. Charities with names similar to well-known organizations but slightly altered.
3. High-pressure tactics pushing for immediate donations.
4. Lack of transparency about how donations are used.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Verify the legitimacy of the charity through websites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau.
2. Never give personal or financial information to unsolicited requests.
3. Donate directly through the charity’s official website rather than through links in emails or text messages.
4. Be cautious of charities that only accept donations via gift cards or wire transfers.