The holiday season is a time for giving, connecting with loved ones, and celebrating. Unfortunately, it’s also the busiest time of year for scammers. With online shopping at an all-time high and generous spirits in full swing, cybercriminals are finding new ways to steal your money and personal information.
Based on the latest data for 2025, here are the top scams you need to watch out for this holiday season, and how you can protect yourself.
1. Identity Theft, Phishing, and Pharming
This remains the number one threat. Scammers send emails or texts pretending to be from organizations you trust—like your bank, Amazon, or PayPal. They claim there’s an issue with your account (e.g., "Your account has been limited") or a suspicious transaction.
- Holiday Twist: Watch out for fake "Order Confirmation" emails for expensive items you didn't buy, designed to make you panic and click a malicious link to "cancel" the order.
2. Phone Scams (Robocalls & Impersonation), including Medicare Scams
Despite "Do Not Call" lists, scammers use robodialers to spoof local numbers. They might pretend to be government officials or even family members in distress (using AI voice cloning). A particularly aggressive variant targets seniors with relentless calls (up to 60 a day!) pretending to offer enhanced Medicare plans (like Part C/Medicare Advantage) or claiming to be Medicare officials. Their goal is to phish for information to steal identities, charge Medicare for bogus services, or even compromise existing accounts.
- Key Detail: Medicare rarely makes unsolicited phone calls and usually precedes calls with a letter. Never give out personal Medicare information over the phone unless you initiated the call to a verified number.
- Holiday Twist: Be wary of calls claiming to be from a charity asking for immediate donations over the phone.
3. Delivery and "Missed Package" Text Scams
You receive a text message that looks like it’s from USPS, FedEx, or UPS, claiming they couldn't deliver a package due to an "incomplete address." They ask you to click a link to update your details and pay a small "redelivery fee."
- The Trap: The link steals your credit card info. Always track packages through the official retailer's site, not unsolicited texts.
4. Online Shopping & Internet Merchandise Scams
You find the perfect gift at an unbelievable price on a website you've never heard of, or via a Facebook ad. You pay, but the item never arrives, is a cheap knock-off, or is defective.
- Advice: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to reputable retailers or verify the site's legitimacy before buying.
5. Fake Prizes, Sweepstakes, and Lotteries
"Congratulations! You've won a $500 Holiday Gift Card!" These scams ask you to pay a "small processing fee" or "taxes" to claim your prize.
- Reality Check: Legitimate giveaways never ask you to pay to win.
6. Fake Charity Scams
Scammers take advantage of holiday generosity by creating fake charities or impersonating real ones. They often push for immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Tip: Donate to known organizations directly through their official websites.
7. Job Scams (Seasonal Work)
Looking for extra holiday cash? Scammers post fake listings for high-paying remote jobs or seasonal work. They might ask for an upfront fee for "equipment" or "training," or ask for your Social Security number for a "background check" before you've even interviewed.
8. Tech Support Scams
You might get a pop-up on your computer or a call claiming your device is infected. They ask for remote access to "fix" it or demand payment for useless software.
- Holiday Context: This often targets seniors receiving new tech gifts who may be unfamiliar with setup processes.
9. Gift Card Payment Scams
If anyone asks you to pay a bill, a fine, or a fee using a gift card (like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon cards), it is always a scam. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments.
10. Social Media "Secret Sister" & Pyramid Schemes
You might see a post inviting you to a gift exchange where you buy one gift and receive up to 36 in return. This is a classic pyramid scheme (illegal in many places) and often results in you sending a gift and receiving nothing, while exposing your address to strangers.
How to Stay Safe
- Verify the Source: Don't trust Caller ID or email headers blindly.
- Don't Click Suspicious Links: Go directly to the official website.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers.
- Install Ward: Use the Ward Chrome Extension to automatically detect and block phishing sites and scams while you browse.
Stay vigilant, and have a safe, scam-free holiday season!