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Holiday Scams: What to Watch For — and How to Protect Yourself This Season Thumbnail

Holiday Scams: What to Watch For — and How to Protect Yourself This Season

The holiday season is a time for celebration, generosity, and connection — but it’s also one of the busiest times of year for scams. Fraudsters take advantage of increased online shopping, heavier email volume, and the general busyness of the season. Staying vigilant doesn’t mean worrying constantly; it simply means knowing what to look for and taking a few simple steps to protect yourself.

Common Holiday Scams

One of the most visible issues this time of year is porch piracy. With more packages being delivered, thieves are quick to strike. Installing a doorbell camera, tracking deliveries closely, choosing secure pickup options, or requiring photo confirmation of delivery can help reduce the risk.

Another frequent concern is gift card fraud. Because gift cards are popular holiday gifts — and nearly as popular with scammers — take a moment to inspect cards before purchasing. Look for signs of tampering, ensure the barcode matches the packaging, and only buy from reputable retailers. Keeping receipts is also a good habit if you need to verify activation later.

You should also be aware of scam shopping websites that imitate legitimate brands with similar logos or URLs. Before purchasing, check that the site begins with https://, search for independent reviews, and be cautious of deals that seem unusually cheap.

Criminals also ramp up phishing emails and fake delivery notifications. These messages may claim to be from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or major retailers. As highlighted in the Chase “How to Spot Scams” guidance, scammers often create a sense of urgency, use emotional pressure, impersonate official agencies, or include spelling and grammar errors to push you into clicking quickly.

Protecting Yourself From Scams

While the methods vary, many holiday scams share the same goal: to get you to act fast without thinking. A few habits go a long way toward protecting yourself:

  • Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or attachments in emails and texts.
  • Never share personal or financial information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
  • Keep your devices, apps, and security software updated; enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
  • Use credit cards instead of debit cards for stronger fraud protection.
  • Monitor bank and credit card statements regularly so you can catch unauthorized activity early.

Identity Theft Risks During the Holidays

Scams aren’t limited to small transactions — this time of year also sees an increase in identity theft. According to Chase’s Identity Theft Guide, criminals use stolen personal information to open accounts, apply for loans, steal funds, impersonate you, or commit other fraud in your name. Common warning signs include unexplained transactions, credit accounts you didn’t open, missing mail, unusual credit inquiries, or a sudden drop in your credit score.

Identity theft often begins with phishing, hacking, spoofed websites, or stolen mail and devices. Being cautious with your information, using strong passwords, and reviewing your credit reports regularly can make a significant difference. Chase also emphasizes avoiding unsolicited requests for personal data and being mindful of what you carry with you day to day.

Eight Red Flags That Can Help You Spot a Scam

To make recognizing scams easier, the “8 Red Flags to Help Identify Scams” resource offers simple cues to watch for — such as unexpected contact, offers that seem too good to be true, urgent demands, threatening language, requests for upfront payments or untraceable methods, and pressure to provide personal information.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted

If you suspect fraud or identity theft, acting quickly can prevent further damage. Notify your bank or credit card company, review your credit reports, place a fraud alert or credit freeze, file an FTC report, and, if necessary, contact local law enforcement. Also, update passwords, keep devices current, and enable multi-factor authentication.

The holidays should be a time of joy — not stress. Understanding the most common scams and taking a few proactive steps can help ensure the season stays centered on what matters most. And if you ever want help reviewing your online safety habits or need guidance after a suspicious incident, I’m here to support you.