When Shopping during Holidays, Watch for Seasonal Scams

As the holiday shopping season ramps up, consumers need to stay alert for seasonal scams. 

Distracted shoppers and numerous online deals create ideal conditions for fraud. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, nonpayment and nondelivery scams cost consumers more than $503 million. Consumers should be especially alert for the following scams this holiday season. 

• Fake online stores and social media ads — Scammers use artificial intelligence to build convincing fake storefronts and ads offering deep discounts on popular gifts. You pay, but the item never arrives. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports consumers lost more money to scams that started on social media than any other method in 2025. Search for a company’s name before you buy and look for real contact information. 
   
• Fake airline and travel “customer service” numbers — After a flight is delayed or canceled, travelers often search for an airline’s customer service number online. Scammers use search results and ads to promote fake numbers that look legitimate. The person who answers sounds professional, then pressures you to pay a fee right away. Avoid online searches and look for contact information on the airline’s official website, app or your boarding pass instead. 
   
• Package delivery texts — A message about a delayed package or an unpaid shipping fee may be a link to a fake tracking page designed to steal your personal and financial information. Never click these links. Track packages only through the official app or website of the retailer or carrier. 
   
• Gift card scams — Fraudsters may pressure you to pay with gift cards, or tamper with cards on store racks to drain the funds after purchase. According to the FTC, gift cards appear in about one in four fraud reports. Remember that gift cards are for gifts, not payments, and inspect packaging before you buy. 
   
• Fake charities — The season of giving is also prime time for phony donation pages that mimic real causes and pressure you to send money quickly, often by wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Give directly through a charity’s official website rather than a link in an email, text or advertisement.