The Most Common Online Holiday Scams and How to Protect Yourself This Season

The holiday season is a favorite time for cyber criminals because people are shopping more, traveling more, and donating more. This creates the perfect conditions for scams disguised as holiday promotions, charity campaigns, travel deals, and package notifications. Recognizing these holiday themed scams early can help you avoid identity theft and financial loss.

Fake Package Delivery Alerts

With so many deliveries in December, it is easy to fall for a fake message that claims you missed a package. Scammers send emails or texts that pretend to be from major delivery companies. When you click the link, you may download malware or be directed to a phishing page. Always check tracking information directly from the official carrier website instead of clicking unexpected messages.

Charity Scams During the Season of Giving

Cyber criminals create fake charity websites, social media pages, and email campaigns to trick you into donating money. Before giving, verify charities through trusted sources and avoid donating through unsolicited messages. Authentic charities never pressure you into making immediate decisions.

Gift Card Scams

Gift cards are a popular holiday present and a popular tool for scammers. Be cautious of discounted gift card websites that seem unreliable. If anyone contacts you and asks for payment in gift cards, it is an immediate sign of fraud. No official organization requests payment in this form.

Holiday Giveaway Scams

Giveaway scams can appear as contests, reward surveys, or limited time promotions. They claim you can win expensive gifts with little effort. These scams are designed to collect your personal information, credit card details, or login credentials. Always research the sponsor before joining any holiday giveaway.

Fake Travel Deals

Travel scams increase during the winter vacation season. Fraudulent booking sites may advertise extremely low prices for hotels or flights. To stay protected, always book directly through hotel and airline websites or trusted travel platforms.

By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy the holiday season without falling for the many scams that circulate online in December.