It’s that time of year again. Holiday deals are filling our feeds, packages are heading to our doorsteps, and organizations are asking for year-end donations. Scammers are counting on all that activity to make their messages blend in.
A text about a delayed gift or an ad for a hard-to-find item can feel especially convincing when you’re juggling shopping lists, travel plans and holiday gatherings. Knowing what to look for can help you protect your money and personal information.
The numbers show why it matters. Consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase over 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Online shopping issues were the second most commonly reported fraud category. These figures cover the full year, not just the holiday season. Federal Trade Commission
Here are several scams to keep on your radar this season.
1. Fake holiday deals and lookalike stores
You spot an ad for a popular product at an incredible price. The website looks polished, the brand logo seems familiar, and a countdown says the sale is about to end. But after you pay, the item never arrives, or what shows up looks nothing like the listing.
The FBI identifies non-delivery and misrepresented products among the scams holiday shoppers should watch for. A convincing storefront doesn’t guarantee a legitimate seller. FBI
What to watch for:
- Website addresses with misspellings or extra words.
- Deep discounts on products that are expensive or difficult to find elsewhere.
- Missing contact information or unclear return policies.
- Sellers pushing you to pay outside the normal checkout process.
Before purchasing, visit the retailer’s website independently and research an unfamiliar seller. Compare the offer with other stores, and avoid letting a countdown make the decision for you. The FBI also recommends checking seller reviews and being cautious about unusual payment requests. FBI
2. Package delivery texts that ask for a small fee
“Your package could not be delivered. Update your address here.”
When you’re expecting several orders, that message can seem believable. The link may lead to a page that resembles a shipping company’s website and asks for a small redelivery fee. The real goal may be to collect your payment details or other personal information.
People reported $470 million in losses to text scams in 2024. The FTC says fake package delivery problems were the most commonly reported text scam that year. That dollar figure includes all reported text scams, not just delivery messages. Federal Trade Commission
What to watch for: Unexpected payment requests, unfamiliar links and messages threatening to return a package unless you act immediately.
Check the shipment through your original order confirmation or the carrier’s official website or app. Don’t use the link in an unexpected message to enter payment information. Federal Trade Commission
3. Gift card scams
Gift cards are convenient presents. They’re also a payment method scammers frequently demand.
Someone may pretend to be your boss, a relative, a company representative, or a romantic interest and ask you to buy cards urgently. They then request photos of the cards or the numbers and PINs. Once you share that information, they can access the funds.
Physical gift cards can also be tampered with before purchase, allowing criminals to drain the balance after activation. Consumer Advice
What to watch for:
- An urgent request to purchase gift cards and send the codes.
- Instructions to keep the purchase secret.
- Damaged packaging or exposed PINs.
- Discounted gift cards from unfamiliar online sellers.
Verify unusual requests through a separate conversation with the person involved. Buy cards from trusted retailers, inspect the packaging and keep your receipt. Gift cards are for giving—not for resolving an unexpected bill or account problem. Consumer Advice
4. Fake order confirmations and account alerts
An email says you purchased an expensive item you don’t recognize. Another message claims your account has been locked and tells you to call “customer support.”
These messages are designed to make you react before checking. The supposed support representative may ask for login credentials, payment details or a verification code. Some fake receipts are created specifically to get you to contact the scammer. OCC
What to watch for: Unexpected purchases, unfamiliar support numbers, requests for passwords or one-time codes, and instructions to install software.
Open the company’s official app or website yourself to check your account. For a bank or credit card concern, use a verified contact number. Never share a one-time login code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
5. Fraudulent holiday charity requests
The season of giving can bring requests to support families, food drives and community causes. Scammers may impersonate a real organization or invent one, using an emotional story to pressure people into donating.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warns that charity scams often increase during the holiday season. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
What to watch for: Pressure to donate immediately, vague explanations of how funds will be used, and requests to send money through unusual channels.
Research the organization independently and donate through a verified website or established contact. If someone claims to represent a local organization you know, contact that organization directly before sending money. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
6. Marketplace listings for the perfect gift
A sold-out gaming console or heavily discounted decoration can make a marketplace listing tempting. But a seller may collect payment without delivering the item, or a supposed buyer may try to get you to ship something before payment is confirmed.
Non-payment and non-delivery scams generated more than $503 million in reported losses in 2025, according to the FBI’s holiday scam guidance citing its Internet Crime Complaint Center report. This is an annual total, not a holiday-only figure. FBI
What to watch for: Requests to move the transaction off-platform, unusual payment instructions and pressure to ship before you can verify payment.
Follow the marketplace’s payment and protection procedures. If you’re selling, confirm that payment was actually received rather than relying on a message or screenshot. FBI
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed
Act quickly, even if you’re still sorting out what happened.
- Contact your bank, card issuer or payment provider. Explain the situation and ask whether the transaction can be reversed.
- Secure any affected accounts. Change compromised passwords and any reused passwords.
- Save the evidence. Keep messages, receipts, website addresses and transaction information.
- Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
and report internet crime at IC3.gov.
- Use IdentityTheft.gov
if your personal information was misused. Consumer Advice
Be cautious of anyone who later promises to recover your money for an upfront fee. The FTC warns that recovery offers can be another scam targeting people who have already lost money. Consumer Advice
Give yourself permission to pause
Before you buy, donate or respond to an unexpected message, take a moment to verify who’s on the other end. A familiar logo, urgent deadline or convincing story shouldn’t replace that check.
At Troxell, we want our community to enjoy the holiday season with fewer unpleasant surprises. Share these warning signs with your friends and loved ones and keep them handy for your own shopping, too.