Nearly 75% of Americans experienced at least one type of holiday scam last year through either traveling, a charitable donation, or online shopping. That’s a staggering statistic. Scammers take advantage of the holiday season as communication regarding packages, sales, and limited time deals upticks, increasing your risk of falling victim to fraud.

Misleading Social Media Scams

We’re sure many of you have seen the stellar deals of inflatable water slides normally $499 for only $99–what a steal! Well, it kind of is…but of your money. As you scroll through social media you’ll see so many items for sale. Some claim to support charities, some give free monthly trials, and some promise sweet deals. Before purchasing, do your homework and research the company before ordering. You can check business profiles at https://www.bbb.org/search and read real reviews.

Social Media Gift Exchanges

We’ve been seeing this scam for several years now and it’s making its annual appearance. The newest version revolves around exchanging wine, another suggests purchasing gift cards, and the best one–providing your email address to complete strangers for a secret Santa exchange. While participants unwittingly share personal information, email addresses, and names of family and friends, scammers are running an illegal pyramid scam in which your generosity, and personal information is stolen.

Look-a-like Websites

If you’re ever seen the movie, Jingle All The Way, then you can relate to the sheer madness in the “it” toy of the season. When stores sell out, you may find the toy online at different websites other than the retailers. It’s easy to mimic a real website and some sellers will take your money and run, leaving you without the toy and without money. Learn how to spot a fake website, here.

Puppy Scams

An adorable, wrinkly puppy, with a bow around her neck sounds like the perfect Christmas morning gift. As families consider adding a furry friend to the household, be careful who you’re buying that puppy from. Pet scams are on the rise. Request to see the pup in person to ensure you actually receive a puppy. Some scammers will take your money and run. If the pup lives further away, do your research to ensure you aren’t purchasing a pooch with problems, such as a mill puppy.

Fake Shipping Notifications

Ding! You’ve got mail. With the increase in spending during the holiday season, inboxes are filling with ship notifications. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links they want you to click on. Some links download malware onto your device or ransomware–both can come with hefty fees to get your computer and information back. Read more about delivery and package scams here.

The Free Gift Card Scam

Nothing brings more joy during this spending holiday then the word FREE. Scammers will send out phishing emails impersonating your favorite stores and loyalty programs. Simply provide some personal information and you’ll receive that FREE gift card. Scammers may also send unsolicited texts or pop-ups saying you’re being randomly selected to win a prize. Don’t open it or click any links. Instead, mark it spam or junk.

Temporary Holiday Jobs

The increase for help during the holidays in areas like customer service, shipping, and fulfillment to ensure Christmas packages arrive on time, is in demand as ever. These temporary jobs are a great way to make extra money or a way to get your foot in the door for a long-term position. However, some “opportunities” are a way for scammers to steal personal information from job applications. Apply in person if able and if the job seems too good to be true, it is.

Luxury Goods

Luxury goods, bags, clothing, jewelry or top electronics at a low price is almost immediately a key indicator that you’re about to be punked with a counterfeit item. This year’ the Furby Interactive Plush Toy and Xbox Series S & X are the sought-after holiday gifts–purchase in store or from reputable sites.

Holiday Apps

Head to the App Store or Google Play and you’ll find dozens of holiday-themed apps, including the ever-popular visit with Santa. Over the past few years, there’s been a decline in the traditional in-person Santa visit as parents opt for a free app where children can watch Santa, feed live reindeer, and track his sleigh. Be wary of “free” apps though as some may contain malware and others are full of advertising that is easily clicked.

Email Alerts About Compromised Accounts

Scammers are always looking for the next popular thing to use as an avenue to con us. With Amazon, PayPal, Netflix continuing to grow in popularity, the chance of you receiving a fake notice increases. Scammers will email, text, or even call, to urge you to take immediate action to prevent your account from being compromised. The urgency is THE red flag. Be cautious with any unsolicited communication.

Fake Charities

Did you know, 40% of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of the year? This is when donors need to be extra vigilant of their kindness. If donating to a new organization, do your research. Avoid any impromptu or rushed donation requests. Reputable organizations will welcome a donation today as much as they would next week. You can verify a charity by visiting the BBB’s Give.org

The Grandparent Scam

Scams targeting the elderly can happen any time of the year, with an increase during the holidays. These scams tend to revolve around a grandchild in desperate need of money due to an accident or jailtime. The scammer calls a grandparent requesting money to be wired and another caller, pretending to be a police offer gets on the phone to confirm the need.

However, the call may not always be because the grandchild is in trouble. The caller may request money for tuition, to buy their family Christmas presents, or to help in buying a car to get to school or work. Before sending any money, contact another family member to confirm if the story is true.

Knowing the scams and what to watch for will ensure your holiday is a happy one.