Common Holiday Scams

While fraud is a problem all year long, scammers are even more active around the holidays. They know you're stressed and more likely to let your guard down as you wrap up your shopping and look forward to festive occasions with family and friends.

But don't let the Grinch steal your holidays.

Here are six common holiday scams to look out for and tips to avoid them.

Holiday Scam 1: Gift Card Scams

How the scam works: Gift cards reign supreme as one of the most popular gift ideas. They're easy to buy, and the recipient is typically delighted to pick out their own gift. But they're also easy to compromise, hanging there temptingly on the rack. A criminal can pull back the privacy strip to access the card's activation code and PIN, rendering the gift empty. Gift cards can also be spendy, so you might be tempted by offers of full-price gift cards at cut-rate prices — not knowing the balance has been emptied.

Tips to avoid this holiday scam: Avoid buying gift cards from a third party or an online auction site as the card might be fake or stolen. And when you buy a gift card at the store, make sure to check the back to see if the strip that covers the PIN number has been altered or tampered with. It might be best to purchase ones in sealed packages, rather than those displayed at the checkout counter. And beware of online sellers who insist on gift card payments, as they may use the card's number and PIN to access the funds without delivering your purchase. 1

Holiday Scam 2: Social Media Sweepstakes Scams

How the scam works: You've undoubtedly seen posts circulating that ask you to “like," “share," or “comment" to receive a fantastic prize, such as a free flight or free groceries (a common Thanksgiving scam). If you're one of the first to follow these bogus links, there's usually no harm done to you except the time you wasted. But after the scammer receives enough "likes" or "shares" — making it look more legitimate — they'll edit the link to add malware or to promote a spammy product, or will often lead you to online surveys designed to steal personal information.

This one is relatively easy to avoid. Just remember there's (hardly ever) such a thing as a free lunch and avoid clicking on or sharing this type of junk content. Of course, sometimes there might be a real prize, but any legitimate online giveaway will include the organizer's contact details so you can verify them, along with eligibility requirements and additional information. Above all, never share personal information in exchange for an incentive.2 Before clicking a link, you also can search for “[name of the giveaway]" and “scam" and see if others have posted about it.

Holiday Scam 3: Charity Scams

How the scam works: Scammers know everyone feels a little more altruistic at the holidays so they are quick to exploit the season's spirit of giving. Charity scams come in multiple forms, such as phone or email requests, social media posts, and fake websites that solicit donations. In many cases, the group uses a “sound-alike" name, such as Cancer Society, rather than the well-known “American Cancer Society."

Tips to avoid this holiday scam: It's hard not to feel moved by a sad story, and these fraudsters know just how to pull on your heartstrings. To ensure your gift makes a real difference, conduct research so it reaches your intended recipients. You can vet legitimate groups through sites such as Charity Navigator and BB Wise Giving Alliance.3 Rather than clicking a link in an email or post, which could take you to a fraudulent site, jot down the name of the group and search for it independently if you want to learn more. You can even take it a safer step further and search its name plus “complaint," “review," “rating," or “scam."