Watch Out For These 5 Holiday Scam Red Flags

The holidays bring joy, generosity—and a surge in scams. Fraudsters know people are busy shopping, shipping, and donating, and they take full advantage of the season’s distractions. Here are some red flags to watch for this year.

1. Bogus store gift card offers. Beware of online ads promising “half-price Target” or “free Amazon” gift cards. Scammers can easily mimic retailers’ logos and colors, luring you to fake sites that steal payment info. Buy cards only in person or directly from the official retailer’s website.
2. Fake shipping-label returns. Holiday returns are big business—and so are fake return scams. Criminals send texts or emails saying a return label or “refund confirmation” is ready, but the links lead to malware or phishing pages. If you didn’t initiate the return yourself, ignore it.
3. Phony charity appeals. Fraudsters exploit goodwill by posing as veterans’ or children’s charities. Verify before giving with an organization like CharityNavigator.org or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, and steer clear of anyone asking for donations in gift cards or crypto.
4. Secret Santa and gift-exchange cons. Those “send one gift, get 12 back” social media exchanges are pyramid schemes, pure and simple. They not only cost you money but also expose your personal information to scammers.
5. Fake “Christmas market” sellers. Pop-up websites selling “artisan ornaments” or “custom stockings” often vanish after payment or send shoddy knockoffs. Stick to trusted retailers or verified sellers on reputable platforms. Do your due diligence before making a purchase on social media—scammers can make convincing ads to grab your attention and your money.

Staying alert to these red flags will help ensure your holiday cheer isn’t spoiled by a scammer.