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The holidays are the busiest shopping season of the year, and scammers know it. The good news: most holiday scams follow a few predictable patterns. Learn to spot them and you will avoid almost all of them. This guide is based on consumer warnings from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
1. Fake “Missed Delivery” Texts and Emails
You get a text that looks like it is from USPS, UPS, FedEx or Amazon saying a package could not be delivered, with a link to “update your address” or pay a small fee. According to the FCC, these messages can lead to stolen personal information, malware or costly phone charges.
What to do: do not click the link or call the number. Check your order directly on the store’s website or app, or type the carrier’s web address yourself. Real carriers do not ask for money to release a normal package.
2. Fake Online Stores (Often Advertised on Social Media)
The FTC warns that scammers impersonate real brands on social media and offer popular products at prices that look too good to be true. The item never arrives, or something cheap and different shows up.
What to do: before you buy from a store you do not know, search its name along with words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” Our guide on how to spot a fake online store walks through the warning signs.
3. Anyone Who Asks to Be Paid With Gift Cards
The FTC’s rule is simple: no real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Scammers pretend to be the IRS, tech support, a utility company or even a family member in trouble, and ask for gift card numbers because the money is hard to trace.
What to do: if someone asks for payment in gift cards, it is a scam. Stop and hang up. If you already paid, contact the gift card company right away and report it to the FTC.
4. “Deals” That Are Not Real
Some sellers raise the “original” price just before a sale so the discount looks bigger. It is not always illegal, but it can trick you into rushing.
What to do: check the price history before you buy. Our guides on telling a real holiday deal from a fake one and free price trackers show you how in a couple of minutes.
5. Sellers Who Only Take Wire Transfers, Payment Apps or Crypto
The FTC calls it a red flag when a seller will only accept a gift card, wire transfer, payment app or cryptocurrency. Those payments are very hard to get back.
What to do: pay with a credit card when you can. The FTC notes that credit cards give you dispute rights if you are charged incorrectly, never receive the item, or receive something damaged.
A Quick Holiday Safety Checklist
- Shop on websites you know or have checked.
- Pay with a credit card, not a gift card, wire or crypto.
- Never click links in unexpected delivery texts.
- Keep receipts and order confirmation numbers.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, check it before you buy.
How to Report a Scam
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others. If you paid by credit card, also contact your card company about a dispute.
The Bottom Line
Most holiday scams depend on you acting fast. Slow down, check the store, pay with a credit card and never pay anyone with gift cards. Those four habits stop almost every scam on this list.
Sources: FTC: How to avoid an online shopping scam this holiday season; FTC: Avoiding and reporting gift card scams; FCC: How to avoid package delivery scams.