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Holiday Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Season

Post on in Financial Education, Fraud Prevention
Avoid Holiday Shopping Scams

The holiday season brings excitement, celebrations, and plenty of shopping. Unfortunately, it also brings a big increase in holiday shopping scams targeting busy shoppers. Scammers count on people rushing, multitasking, or trying to score a great deal. At Embold Credit Union, we want you to feel confident and protected every time you shop, whether you’re buying gifts online, ordering food, or checking tracking updates on your phone.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe this season—and what to do if something doesn’t seem right.

1. Confirm You’re Shopping on a Legitimate Website

Online shopping scams surge every December. Scammers create websites that look almost identical to major retailers, including real product photos and fake customer reviews. These sites often offer prices that seem too good to pass up, which is a common tactic in holiday shopping scams.

Before you buy:

  • Check for https:// at the start of the web address
  • Look for a physical address and real customer service information
  • Avoid sites filled with spelling errors or off-brand product descriptions
  • Search the retailer’s name with the phrase “scam” or “complaints”

If the price looks unrealistic, trust your instincts. Stick with retailers you know or stores with a solid reputation to avoid holiday shopping scams.

2. Watch for Package Delivery Scams

Package delivery scams increase sharply during the holidays. These messages usually claim your order is delayed, missing important information, or unable to be delivered. The scammer wants you to click a link that leads to a fake login page or downloads malware on your device. Such tactics are common in holiday shopping scams.

To stay safe:

  • Don’t click links from unknown numbers
  • Verify tracking details using the retailer’s website, not the text
  • Be cautious if the message pressures you to act quickly

Legitimate carriers will not collect personal or financial information through text message.

3. Be Wary of Gift Card or Peer-to-Peer Payment Requests

Scammers love gift cards because they’re difficult to trace. If someone asks you to pay a bill, fee, or “urgent issue” using a gift card, it’s a scam every time. The same applies to peer-to-peer payments sent to strangers, a common theme in holiday shopping scams.

No legitimate business or agency will ever ask you to pay this way. If you receive a message like this, delete it and report it.

4. Improve Your Digital Safety at Home

A few simple security habits can help keep your accounts safe while you shop:

  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi when making purchases
  • Log out after completing online orders
  • Update your device software regularly

These steps make it much harder for scammers to gain access to your accounts.

5. Be Extra Careful With Social Media Deals and Giveaways

Social platforms fill up with giveaways and flash deals this time of year. While many are real, scammers also use them to collect personal information as part of holiday shopping scams.

Never provide your Social Security number, full birthdate, or banking information to enter a giveaway. Check that the account running the promotion is verified or belongs to a known organization.

6. What To Do If Something Feels Off

If you think you’ve clicked a suspicious link, shared personal information, or noticed unusual activity on your account, reach out right away. Our team can help you secure your accounts, reset credentials, and review your transactions.

You can also find more ways to protect yourself on our Fraud Prevention page.

For additional guidance, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers trusted resources on current scams at: https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.

We’re Here to Help You Shop Safely

The holidays should be spent enjoying the people you care about—not worrying about scams. By staying aware and using smart habits, you can protect your information and shop with confidence. Remember, awareness is key in preventing holiday shopping scams.

If you ever have questions or concerns, we’re here to help. Call us, stop by a branch, or send us a message. Your security is one of the most important ways we support your financial well-being.