12 Holiday Scams to Watch Out For: Shipping Notifications, Puppy Schemes, and Social Media Ads

In the bustling rush of holiday shopping, consumers need to be more vigilant than ever as scammers deploy increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit the seasonal spike in spending. With holiday retail sales projected to exceed $1 trillion this year, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued warnings about twelve common scams targeting shoppers during this festive period.

Social media has become a prime hunting ground for scammers, with misleading advertisements flooding feeds across platforms. The BBB reports receiving daily complaints from consumers who paid for products they never received, were hit with unexpected charges after signing up for “free trials,” or received counterfeit items instead of what was advertised. Experts recommend thoroughly researching unfamiliar companies before making purchases through social media ads.

Another perennial scam making its seasonal return involves social media gift exchanges. These schemes, which appear under various guises like “Secret Sister,” wine exchanges, or even “Secret Santa Dog” exchanges, typically violate lottery laws and often serve as vehicles for identity theft. Participants are asked to send money or gifts to strangers while providing personal information that can be exploited later.

Parents should be wary of holiday-themed apps designed for children. While many apps offering virtual Santa chats or holiday games seem innocent, some collect excessive personal data or contain malicious software. Cybersecurity experts recommend checking privacy policies and reading user reviews before downloading any seasonal applications.

For holiday travelers, fake toll collection texts have emerged as a significant concern. Scammers impersonate legitimate toll authorities, sending messages claiming unpaid fees with fraudulent payment links attached. Transportation officials emphasize that authentic toll agencies typically contact drivers through official mail, not text messages.

The allure of free gift cards continues to trap unwary consumers. Phishing emails and pop-up advertisements promising free gift cards often contain malicious links designed to harvest personal information. Cybersecurity professionals advise immediately deleting such messages and marking them as spam.

The seasonal job market provides another avenue for scammers. With retailers hiring temporary workers for the holiday rush, fraudsters post fake job listings requiring applicants to provide sensitive information or pay upfront fees for “training” or “equipment.” Employment experts recommend researching companies thoroughly and avoiding opportunities that request payment or seem unusually lucrative.

Imposter scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters creating convincing fake websites and social media accounts that mimic legitimate businesses. These counterfeit platforms can distribute malware, process fraudulent payments, or collect personal data. Digital security specialists suggest verifying website URLs carefully and looking for secure payment indicators before entering any information.

The spirit of giving makes the holidays particularly fertile ground for charity scams. Fake charities exploit seasonal goodwill, often adopting names similar to established organizations. Philanthropy experts recommend donating directly through official charity websites and using tools like Charity Navigator to verify an organization’s legitimacy.

With the surge in online shopping comes an increase in shipping notification scams. Fraudulent emails and texts claiming to update consumers on package deliveries often contain phishing links. Retail and security experts advise tracking packages only through retailers’ official websites or apps.

The popularity of advent calendars has spawned a wave of scams featuring calendars that either never arrive or contain items of significantly lower quality than advertised. Consumer advocates suggest purchasing these seasonal items only from established retailers with verifiable reviews.

Holiday wish list scams target shoppers searching for high-demand items. Artificially low-priced luxury goods, electronics, and popular toys sold through marketplace platforms are frequently counterfeit or nonexistent. Retail experts recommend purchasing from authorized retailers and being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.

Finally, puppy scams continue to break hearts during the holidays. The BBB estimates that approximately 80% of online pet advertisements may be fraudulent, with scammers collecting deposits for animals that don’t exist. Animal welfare organizations strongly recommend meeting any potential pet in person before transferring money.

Consumers who fall victim to holiday scams should immediately contact their credit card companies to explore available protections and potential recourse options. Many credit card issuers offer fraud protection services that can help mitigate financial losses during this vulnerable season.