Six holiday shopping scams to watch for this season
Black Friday is still weeks away, but holiday shopping is already getting underway. Stores are advertising early discounts, sales emails are piling up, and many people are starting to look for gifts. Scammers are getting an early start, too.
Fraudulent offers can be hard to distinguish from real ones. A steep discount may lead to a fake store, a delivery notice might ask for your personal details or a small fee, and an email about an order could be trying to steal your payment information.
These messages can seem especially convincing when you’re expecting packages or actively searching for deals. Before clicking a link or entering payment details, take a moment to check the message through the retailer’s official website or app.
1. Fake stores and too-good-to-be-true deals
A social media ad might offer a popular coat, gadget or handbag at a huge discount, complete with polished photos and a countdown timer. But unusually low prices on sought-after products can be a warning sign. Fake sellers may take your money without sending anything, or ship a cheap imitation that looks nothing like the advertised item.
Some scam websites copy real brands’ logos, product photos and page designs. Check the web address carefully: a fraudulent site may add words such as “outlet” or “sale,” use a subtle misspelling or rely on an unfamiliar domain.
An HTTPS connection or padlock icon doesn’t prove a store is genuine. It only means the connection is encrypted. If you’re unsure, enter the retailer’s known web address yourself or use its trusted app.
2. Fake delivery alerts
Texts and emails claiming that a package couldn’t be delivered often pretend to come from the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx. If you’re waiting for a parcel, the alert may seem plausible. The link, however, can lead to a counterfeit tracking page that asks for your address, card details or other personal information. Some messages request a small redelivery fee.
The Postal Service says it doesn’t charge a redelivery fee. Don’t follow a link in an unexpected delivery message; check the shipment through the carrier’s official website instead.
3. Fake account or payment warnings
An email might say your payment failed, your shopping account has been locked or an order needs urgent confirmation. Some messages claim an expensive purchase was made through your account and provide a phone number to call to cancel it. That number could connect you to a scammer, who may ask for card information or a one-time verification code, or try to get you to install remote-access software.
Sign in to your account through the retailer’s official website to check for a real problem. If you need help, use customer service details listed on that site.
4. Gift card payment demands
Gift cards are popular presents, but scammers also use them because the money can be difficult to recover once the card number and PIN are shared. A fraudster may pose as a seller, employer, relative, government agency or utility company and insist that you pay urgently with gift cards.
A request to buy cards and send someone the numbers or PINs is a strong sign of fraud.
5. Fake charity appeals
Holiday giving is another opportunity scammers exploit. Fraudulent appeals may use names that sound like established charities, reference a disaster or emotional story, or impersonate a real organization with a fake payment page. Check an organization independently before donating, and consult the Federal Trade Commission’s charity guidance if you’re unsure.
6. Scams on marketplaces
Online marketplaces and local resale groups can offer good deals, but scammers may pose as ordinary sellers. Watch out for unusually low prices, demands for payment before you can inspect an item, and sellers who push you to continue the conversation elsewhere. Fake payment confirmations and unexpected shipping charges are also reasons to be cautious.
Buyer protections differ between platforms, so check the rules before making a purchase rather than assuming you’ll be reimbursed if something goes wrong.
Ways to shop more safely
Verify unexpected messages through a retailer or carrier’s official website, and be wary of urgent requests for payment or personal information. Check website addresses carefully, use payment methods with protections where possible, and review a marketplace’s policies before buying.
Security software can offer another layer of protection by flagging some suspicious websites, phishing attempts and malicious links. Features vary, and no tool catches everything, so it’s still worth pausing when an offer seems unusually good or a message pressures you to act immediately.
AI-generated images, altered videos and fake endorsements can make fraudulent promotions look more convincing. Security tools may help identify some manipulated content, but their capabilities vary across products and devices.
Even careful shoppers can run into a convincing scam. If you entered payment details, contact your card issuer promptly and review your account for unfamiliar activity. If you shared a password, change it and avoid reusing it on other accounts. Simply opening a webpage does not automatically mean your accounts have been compromised, but acting quickly after sharing sensitive information can limit potential harm.
A few extra seconds spent checking a seller or message can prevent a lot of trouble. Holiday shopping should be about finding something thoughtful, not dealing with the aftermath of a scam.
