---
title: Watch Out for Holiday Scams
description: Stay vigilant this holiday season. Learn about common holiday scams and how to protect yourself from fake stores, phishing, gift card scams, and more.
---

[blog ](https://elevatecu.com/blog)

# [Watch Out for Holiday Scams](https://elevatecu.com/blog/watch-out-for-holiday-scams)

 Written by [Elevate CU](https://elevatecu.com/blog/author/elevate-cu) | Dec 3, 2024 2:00:00 PM

<https://cucontent.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/art.shopping-center-538018_1920.jpg>

The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and celebration—but it’s also prime time for scammers looking to exploit busy shoppers and generous gift-givers. Here are some of the most common holiday scams to watch out for and tips on how to protect yourself.

### **1. Fake Online Stores**

Scammers create fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers to trick shoppers into buying items that never arrive.

**How to Avoid:**

- Shop only at trusted websites.
- Look for “https” in the URL and a padlock icon.
- Read reviews and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

### **2. Phishing Emails and Texts**

Fraudsters send emails or texts posing as well-known retailers, delivery services, or even charities, urging you to click on malicious links.

**How to Avoid:**

- Don’t click on links from unknown senders.
- Verify messages by visiting official websites directly.
- Be cautious of urgent language or requests for personal information.

### **3. Gift Card Scams**

Gift cards are a popular holiday gift—and a prime target for scammers. They might tamper with cards in stores or trick people into paying fake bills with gift cards.

**How to Avoid:**

- Buy gift cards from reputable sources.
- Inspect gift cards for signs of tampering.
- Never use gift cards to pay unexpected bills or fees.

### **4. Charity Fraud**

The season of giving inspires many to donate to charities, but scammers often pose as legitimate organizations.

**How to Avoid:**

- Research charities on websites like Charity Navigator.
- Donate through official charity websites, not links from emails or social media.
- Be wary of high-pressure donation tactics.

### **5. Package Delivery Scams**

With the rise of online shopping, fake package delivery notifications are more common than ever.

**How to Avoid:**

- Track packages using official carrier websites.
- Ignore unexpected delivery notifications requesting personal information.

### **6. Social Media Giveaways and Contests**

Scammers create fake contests promising big prizes in exchange for personal details or account logins.

**How to Avoid:**

- Only enter contests from verified company accounts.
- Never share sensitive information to claim a prize.

### **Stay Vigilant and Spread the Word**

The best defense against holiday scams is awareness. Share these tips with family and friends to help everyone enjoy a safer holiday season. If you encounter a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Stay safe, and happy holidays from all of us at Elevate Credit Union!

If you enjoyed this article, check out more just like it on the rest of our [MoneySmart Tips blog](https://elevatecu.com/blog).

[View full post](https://elevatecu.com/blog/watch-out-for-holiday-scams)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Elevate CU"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-12-27T18:44:01.427Z",
  "datePublished" : "2024-12-03T14:00:00Z",
  "headline" : "Watch Out for Holiday Scams",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 427,
    "url" : "https://44728797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44728797/holiday%20shopping%20center.jpg",
    "width" : 627
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://elevatecu.com/blog/watch-out-for-holiday-scams",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "blog"
  }
}
```