Common Holiday Scams to Look Out For

The holiday season usually means fun with friends and family, goodwill and giving. Unfortunately, it's also a prime time for cybercriminals to perpetrate fraud. Here are some common holiday scams to look out for this holiday season:

Online shopping scams. Criminals create professional-looking websites and ads promoting popular items at steep discounts, but what you receive may be different than advertised—if you receive anything. Be cautious of unusually low prices and avoid clicking on ads in emails, texts, or social media. For safer shopping, go directly to a trusted retailer’s website or app and pay with a credit card for stronger protections.

Delivery scams. As holiday packages crisscross the country, scammers send out phishing emails and texts that appear to be from UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service, notifying recipients about incoming or missed deliveries. Links lead to fake sign-in pages that request personal information, or to sites that may be infected with malware.

Gift card scams. Criminals steal gift cards in bulk from store racks, collect the information from the card, and return them to the rack for unsuspecting buyers. When the gift card is bought, criminals immediately drain the money. It is safer to buy cards that are kept behind the counter, or directly from the retailer’s site.

Learn how to spot and avoid scams with AARP Fraud Watch Network™. Suspect a scam? Call our free helpline at 877-908-3360 and talk to one of our fraud specialists about what to do next.