Holiday Shopping Scams: How to Stay Safe This Season

The holiday season is officially here,  and so are the scammers. As families shop for gifts, book travelling plans, ship packages, and race to catch last-minute sales, criminals quietly ramp up their fraud campaigns. According to multiple reports across law enforcement, cybersecurity firms, and consumer protection agencies, holiday scams are not only increasing in volume, but they’re also becoming dramatically more convincing.

At Bolster Research, analysts have tracked a 128% overall increase in phishing activity this holiday season compared to last year. Similarly, banking experts, the BBB, police departments, and the FTC are warning consumers to stay alert as fraudsters unleash new tools, tactics, and AI-powered schemes.

If it feels like scams are everywhere lately, you’re not imagining it. Here’s what you need to know, what to watch out for, and how to protect yourself (and your wallet) during the most wonderful (and most vulnerable)  time of the year.

Holiday Scams Have Quickly Evolved 

A few years ago, many phishing attempts were laughably easy to spot. Bad grammar. Off-looking logos. Strange email addresses.

Not anymore.

“Scammers aren’t just slapping a logo on a fake site anymore,” explains Bolster CEO Rod Schultz. “They’re using AI and dark-web kits to build full storefront experiences, run fake customer-support chats, and launch paid social ads that look identical to the brands you trust.”

In other words, holiday scams now operate like fully functioning businesses.

And the data shows the results:

• 118% increase in phishing scams during Thanksgiving
• 229% spike over Black Friday
• 14% increase around Christmas
• 105.8% rise in delivery-related scams in November alone

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network also reports that 89% of U.S. consumers were targeted by at least one holiday-related scam in the past year.

The threat is real and growing.

The Top Holiday Scams of 2025

Below are the most common and dangerous fraud tactics circulating this year.

1. Delivery Notification Scams

With millions of packages on the move, scammers impersonate UPS, FedEx, USPS, and Amazon through texts and emails claiming:

• “Your delivery couldn’t be completed.”
• “A customs fee is required.”
• “Click here to update your shipping details.”

The goal is to steal your personal details, credit card number, or login credentials.

New twist: BBB warns scammers are sending packages you never ordered that contain QR codes. Scanning them loads malware or leads to phishing websites.

If you didn’t order it, ignore it.

2. Fake Online Stores & Social Media Ads

Professional-looking ads on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook may lead to:

• Counterfeit product sites
• “Closeout” pages claiming to liquidate name-brand retailers
• Sites offering 60–90% discounts on premium items

Many shoppers report paying for items and receiving cheap knockoffs,  or nothing at all.

One buyer spent $50 on “mercury glass Christmas trees” promoted by an influencer. They received small plastic ones worth a few dollars, and the seller refused a reasonable refund.

If a deal looks unbelievable, it probably is.

3. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing is booming because people trust texts more than emails.

Examples include:

• “Toll payment overdue.”
• “Your bank account is locked. Verify now.”
• “Your package is delayed. Click here.”

Bolster forecasts a 122% increase in these attacks this season.

Scammers rely on urgency; don’t fall for it.

4. Travel Scams & Fake Booking Sites

With holiday travel in full swing, scammers create fake airline, rental car, and hotel sites that appear shockingly realistic.

Red flags include:

• Requests for more personal information after you’ve paid
• Calls claiming your flight was “cancelled” and requiring extra fees
• Deeply discounted “limited time” fares

If booking online, search the company name plus “scam”, “complaints”, or “reviews.”

Always book with a credit card, never Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards.

5. QR Code Fraud

Criminals hide malicious QR codes in:

• Emails
• Text messages
• Posters or mailers
• Packages you didn’t order

Scanning the code may download malware or redirect you to a phishing page.

QR codes are links; treat them like one.

6. Gift Card Scams

Two major types:

Consumer scams:
“Congratulations! Claim your $500 holiday gift card!”

Workplace scams:
Your “boss” messages urgently requesting gift cards for “client gifts.”

Gift cards are completely untraceable once redeemed.

No legitimate business, employer, or government agency will ever ask for gift cards as payment, ever.

7. Fake Charity Appeals

Holiday generosity is an easy target. Fake charities use:

• AI-written emotional stories
• Stolen logos
• Realistic donation portals

AARP reports 35% of consumers received a fraudulent charity request last year.

Always verify charities through sites like Charity Navigator or CanadaHelps.

8. Seasonal Job Scams

Scammers post “work from home” or “urgent start” holiday temp jobs requiring:

• Banking info
• Social insurance/Social Security numbers
• Up-front training fees

No real employer asks for any of that before hiring.

9. AI Voice Cloning Scams

A terrifying new trend: scammers using AI to mimic the voice of someone you love.

Examples include:

• A “grandchild” calling from college asking for money
• A “relative” got stuck while holiday shopping
• A “friend” asking you to pay for a gift on their behalf

Detroit Police warn: criminals only need a short audio clip to clone a voice.

The FTC’s advice:
Don’t trust the voice. Hang up and call the real person.

Why We Fall for These Scams

Holiday scammers rely on psychological pressure. According to fraud specialists:

• They create panic (“Your account will be shut down!”)
• They create urgency (“Only 2 seats left!”)
• They create scarcity (“Last day for 90% off!”)
• They create confusion (“Your flight is canceled.”)

As Chase Community Manager Gail Taylor puts it:
“Pause. Stop. They want you to panic.”

Slowing down for even 30 seconds can stop a scam in its tracks.

How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season

Here are the most effective steps to protect yourself.

1. Verify Before Clicking Anything

If you get a delivery text, open the official app or type the URL manually.
Never click the link.

2. Question Extreme Deals

Premium brands rarely discount 70–90% off.
Assume unbelievable deals are fake.

3. Treat QR Codes Like Links

Your phone will preview the URL, and read it before opening.

4. Never Pay with Gift Cards, Zelle, or Wire Transfers

Use credit cards for all online purchases.
They offer fraud protection, but instant transfers don’t.

5. Dig Into Return Policies

Scammers hide behind:

• No returns
• Impossible refund rules
• No customer service

If you can’t find clear policies, avoid the site.

6. Check URLs Carefully

Look for:

• “https://”
• Spelling errors
• Random numbers or characters

Scammers use lookalike domains like amaz0n.com.

7. Hang Up on Strange Phone Calls

If someone pressures you on the phone, especially about money, hang up.
Then call the company or person back using a known number.

8. Protect Your Banking Info

Sign up for fraud alerts from your bank.
If anything seems suspicious, call the bank directly.

9. Don’t Respond to Unsolicited Packages

If a mystery package arrives with a QR code:
Throw it out. Do not scan anything.

10. When in Doubt — Trust Your Gut

If you feel that something is “off,” it probably is.

The Bottom Line

Holiday scams have exploded, and modern criminals are highly organized, well-funded, and leveraging AI to appear more real than ever. But you can stay ahead of them by slowing down, verifying everything, and trusting your instincts.

Whether you’re shopping, booking travel, browsing social media, or answering calls from supposed loved ones, remember:

Scammers thrive on speed and panic.
Your best defence is staying calm and informed.

Stay safe, stay skeptical, and enjoy a secure holiday season.

Contact The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. for more information.