Holiday Online Shopping Scams | What to Look Out For
Holiday shopping scams surge every year, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the worst seasons yet for fraud and identity theft. A bit of awareness and a few smart money habits can keep your budget, your credit, and your holiday spirit intact.
Scammers know people are stressed, rushed, and spending more from October through January, so they ramp up fake deals and phishing messages to capture payment data and personal information. Reports show large and growing losses tied to undelivered goods, fake merchants, and identity theft during recent holiday seasons, with fake online stores and social media ads playing a major role1. Keep reading to find out the top scams to look out for when shopping online this holiday season.
Fake online stores and look‑alike websites:
Scammers copy the branding and logos of legitimate retailers and advertise unbelievable deals that seem like you're getting a good deal. They then take your payment and then either send nothing, deliver low-quality knock-offs, or steal your card information. These fraudulent sites often surface in search results or ads and may have misspelled URLs or lack proper contact information.2
How to avoid this scam: Always take a moment to verify that you’re on the retailer’s legitimate website by carefully checking the URL for accurate spelling and formatting. If you’re unsure, shop through the store’s official app downloaded from a trusted app store, or cross-check promotions and sales on the brand’s verified social media accounts. Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links that seem “too good to be true,” and trust your instincts, if something feels off, it’s worth double-checking before entering any personal or payment information.
Phishing texts, emails, and fake delivery alerts:
Messages claim there’s a problem with a package, an account lock, or a missed payment and push you to click a link and enter login or card details. Many of these mimic major delivery services and retailers to trick you into handing over payment info or one‑time passcodes.
How to avoid this scam: Be cautious of any unexpected message claiming there’s an issue with a package, account, or payment especially if it urges you to click a link or act immediately. Instead of using the link provided, go directly to the retailer or delivery service’s official website or app to check your account status or track a package. Look closely at the sender’s information, grammar, and formatting, as scams often include subtle errors. Never share login details, payment information, or one-time passcodes through unsolicited texts or emails. When in doubt, contact the company’s verified customer service to confirm whether the message is legitimate.
Fake charities and seasonal fundraisers:
During the year‑end giving season, criminal groups spin up phony charities, donation pages, and crowdfunding campaigns that imitate real organizations. They rely on emotional pitches and time pressure, redirecting your generosity away from legitimate causes.
How to avoid this scam: Always take a moment to verify the legitimacy of any charity or donation campaign before giving. Instead of donating through links sent by email, text, or social media, go directly to the organization’s official website or use well-known, reputable fundraising platforms. Look up the charity on trusted resources like Charity Navigator3 or the IRS’s tax-exempt organization search to confirm it’s real. Be cautious of urgent emotional appeals, pressure to give immediately, or requests for unusual payment methods. When in doubt, pause, research, and donate only through channels you know are secure and legitimate.
Holiday shopping should be about celebrating, not recovering from fraud, so treat every unbelievable deal, urgent message, and unusual payment request as a cue to slow down and double‑check before you click or pay. By sticking to reputable retailers, favoring secure payment methods like credit cards, monitoring your accounts closely, and taking a moment to research unfamiliar sellers or charities, you dramatically cut the odds that a scammer will turn your holiday spending into a long‑term financial headache.
Check out our other year-end blogs posts:
How to maximize your year end giving strategy
If you have any questions or concerns this holiday season, never hesitate to reach out to one of our advisors:
1. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/23/holiday-shopping-scams-what-to-know/87436349007/
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-shopping-scams-visa-warning/
3. https://www.charitynavigator.org/