'Tis the Season to Be Savvy: Protecting Yourself from Holiday Shopping Scams

The holiday season brings twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and the joy of finding perfect gifts for loved ones. But for some, it's also prime time for taking advantage of busy shoppers. Barbara, a retired teacher from Ohio, almost fell victim last December when she received an email about a "delivery problem" with her grandson's Christmas gift. The message looked legitimate, complete with a familiar shipping company logo, and asked her to "verify payment details" to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve. Fortunately, something felt off, and she called her daughter to check—discovering there was no delivery issue at all.

Stories like Barbara's are increasingly common during the holiday rush, but with a few simple strategies, you can shop with confidence both online and in stores this season.

Why Holiday Shopping Security Matters

The holiday shopping season isn't just the busiest time for retailers—it's also peak season for scammers. With Americans spending over $960 billion during the holidays, fraudsters see golden opportunities amid the rush. Seniors are particularly targeted during this time because they often shop early, make generous purchases for family members, and may be less familiar with evolving digital shopping platforms.

The good news? Being aware of seasonal shopping scams is your best defense. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy your holiday shopping while keeping your personal information and hard-earned money secure.

What You'll Learn

In this guide, you'll discover:

• The most common holiday shopping scams targeting seniors today
• Simple ways to verify legitimate retailers before making purchases
• How to spot suspicious emails, texts, and social media offers
• What to do if you encounter a potential scam
• Easy steps to protect yourself when shopping both online and in stores

Holiday Scams to Watch For

1. Fake Delivery Notifications

How it works: During the holidays, when many packages are being delivered, scammers send emails or texts claiming to be from UPS, FedEx, or Amazon about a "delivery problem." These messages contain links that either install malware or lead to fake websites that steal your information.

‍Stay safe: Instead of clicking links in emails or texts, go directly to the shipping company's official website and enter your tracking number there. Legitimate delivery services don't request payment information or personal details through email or text messages.

2. Gift Card Draining Scams

How it works: Thieves in stores tamper with gift cards on display racks, recording the card numbers and PIN codes. After you purchase and activate the card, they drain the funds before your recipient can use it.

‍Stay safe: Purchase gift cards from behind the counter rather than from accessible display racks. Examine the packaging for signs of tampering, and always keep your receipt until the recipient has successfully used the card.

3. Charity Imposters

How it works: The holidays inspire generosity, and scammers know it. They create fake charities with names similar to well-known organizations, often claiming to help children, veterans, or disaster victims during the holiday season.

‍Stay safe: Verify charities through Charity Navigator or CharityWatch before donating. Don't give in to pressure for immediate donations, especially when contacted out of the blue. Legitimate charities will be happy to receive your donation tomorrow after you've had time to verify their authenticity.

4. Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals

How it works: Scammers create fake websites or social media posts advertising popular items at incredibly low prices. After you pay, you either receive nothing, counterfeit items, or something completely different from what was advertised.

‍Stay safe: Remember the old wisdom: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Shop with retailers you know and trust. For unfamiliar websites, check their contact information, return policies, and look for reviews on independent sites (not just on their own website).

5. Holiday E-Card Scams

How it works: You receive an email appearing to contain a holiday greeting card from a "family member" or "friend," but when you click to view the card, malware is installed on your device.

‍Stay safe: Be suspicious of e-cards from unnamed friends or family members. Legitimate e-card notifications will usually include the sender's name and a personal message. When in doubt, call the supposed sender to verify before clicking any links.

Shopping Safely Online

Follow these simple guidelines for secure online holiday shopping:

• Use credit cards instead of debit cards when shopping online. Credit cards offer better protection against fraud, and disputes don't affect your bank account while being resolved.

• Look for "https://" at the beginning of website addresses. The "s" stands for secure, and legitimate shopping sites will have this protection.

• Create strong, unique passwords for your shopping accounts. Consider using a different password for each major shopping site.

• Be wary of shopping through links in emails or social media advertisements. Instead, type the store's website address directly into your browser.

• Monitor your credit card and bank statements weekly during the holiday season to quickly catch any unauthorized charges.

In-Store Shopping Safety

Even traditional shopping comes with holiday risks:

• Keep your wallet secure in a front pocket or closed handbag that stays with you at all times.

• Shield your PIN when entering it at stores or ATMs.

• Be aware of your surroundings when leaving stores with purchases, especially after dark.

• Check your receipts before leaving the store to ensure you've been charged correctly.

Common Holiday Shopping Misconceptions

"Major retailers and online marketplaces automatically protect me from scammers." While reputable companies work hard to prevent fraud, they can't catch everything. Third-party sellers on major platforms might not be vetted thoroughly, especially during the busy holiday season. Always check seller ratings and reviews before purchasing.

"Scammers only target online shoppers." Unfortunately, in-person shopping scams are also common during the holidays. Thieves may use skimming devices on card readers, create fake QR codes at checkout, or even pose as charity collectors outside stores.

‍"If I've shopped with a website before, it must be safe." Scammers often create convincing fake versions of popular shopping websites. Always double-check the website address for subtle misspellings (like "Amazom.com" instead of "Amazon.com") before entering any payment information.

What To Do If You Spot A Scam

If you encounter a potential shopping scam:

1. Trust your instincts—if something feels suspicious, it probably is
2. Don't click links or provide personal information
3. Report suspected online shopping scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
4. Alert friends and family members about the scam you've encountered

Enjoy a Scam-Free Holiday Season

Now that you know how to recognize common holiday shopping scams, you can enjoy the season with greater confidence and peace of mind. Consider creating a "shopping safety checklist" to review before making holiday purchases, and share these tips with friends and family.

At Cyber Smart Seniors, we're committed to helping you navigate the digital world safely, especially during the busy holiday season. Check out our related guide on "Setting Up Fraud Alerts" for an extra layer of protection, or explore our article on "Secure Online Shopping Guide" for more comprehensive advice.

Remember, staying informed is your best defense against seasonal scams. Happy (and safe) holiday shopping!

_{- - - -}

_{Copyright © 2025 Cyber Smart Seniors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.}

‍