Are holiday scammers targeting you right now?

The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it also creates prime opportunities for fraudsters seeking to exploit busy consumers. Between shopping for gifts, planning travel and making charitable donations, people often overlook potential threats hiding in emails, text messages and social media feeds. Diedra Porché, head of community and business development at Chase, notes that scammers significantly increase their activity during this period, employing various deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting victims.

The combination of financial transactions, time pressure and emotional generosity makes the holidays particularly attractive to criminals. Understanding their methods and recognizing warning signs can help protect both your finances and peace of mind during what should be a joyful time of year.

How fraudsters operate

Impersonation forms the foundation of most holiday scams. Criminals pose as trusted businesses, financial institutions or government agencies, creating artificial urgency to pressure victims into sharing sensitive information or sending money. Communications might arrive as emails appearing to come from your bank, texts claiming to represent shipping companies or phone calls from numbers that look legitimate at first glance.

Porché emphasizes the importance of pausing before responding to any unexpected communication requesting personal details or immediate action. When doubt arises about a message’s authenticity, she recommends hanging up and calling back using a verified number found through official channels rather than contact information provided in the suspicious message itself.

Three prevalent schemes to avoid

The first major threat involves social media shopping scams that flourish during the holiday rush. Fraudsters create advertisements for popular items at unrealistically low prices, linking to cloned retailer websites designed to capture payment information. These fake sites often feature professional branding and product images that make them appear legitimate to casual observers scrolling through their feeds.

Protecting yourself requires verifying retailer legitimacy before making any purchase. If an advertised deal does not appear on the company’s official website, treat it as fraudulent. Avoid clicking random advertisements, as they may contain malware that compromises your device and personal data.

The second common scam exploits emotional vulnerability through fake emergencies involving gift cards. Victims receive texts or calls from someone impersonating a friend or family member claiming urgent need for help. The imposter requests immediate gift card purchases, often using spoofed phone numbers or voice cloning technology to sound convincing and familiar.

No legitimate person or organization requests payment through gift cards. Taking a moment to verify the request through an alternative communication channel can prevent falling victim to this emotionally manipulative scheme. Genuine emergencies allow time for proper verification through trusted contact methods.

The third major threat targets travelers searching for holiday accommodations. Scammers create fake vacation rental listings on travel websites, advertising properties at unbelievable discounts. These fraudsters pose as property owners and demand upfront payment through wire transfers or other untraceable methods that leave victims with no recourse after discovering the rental does not exist.

Booking exclusively through reputable travel platforms with secure payment options provides protection against these schemes. Never send money to unknown individuals regardless of how attractive their advertised property appears.

Identifying warning signs

Several red flags can help identify potential scams before they cause harm. Spelling or grammar errors in advertisements or websites often indicate fraudulent operations. Legitimate businesses typically maintain professional standards in their communications and online presence.

Unverified web addresses lacking the secure protocol indicator in the address bar pose another warning sign. Pressure tactics demanding immediate action without allowing time for consideration represent a classic manipulation technique favored by scammers. Sketchy or nonexistent customer reviews should raise suspicions about any unfamiliar retailer or service provider.

Porché advises trusting your instincts when evaluating offers. Deals that seem too good to be true generally are exactly that.

Taking protective measures

Digital banking tools can enhance security beyond basic vigilance. Mobile banking applications allow users to track purchases in real time, helping identify unusual activity quickly. Free credit and identity monitoring services alert customers when their personal data appears in security breaches, enabling prompt response to potential compromise.

If you become a scam victim, remain calm and act immediately. Cease all contact with the scammer while documenting everything. Contact your bank to report the issue, file a police report and notify the Federal Trade Commission. Change passwords across all accounts and consider sharing your experience to warn others. Scams can happen to anyone, and feeling embarrassed only helps criminals continue operating.