7 Holiday Scams to Watch Out for This Season
By Tina Radenz, Senior Information Security Officer
Each year, people around the world receive holiday “visits”—and not just from jolly ol’ St. Nick.
Scammers love to slide down the metaphorical chimney too, exploiting the season’s goodwill faster than you can say eggnog. Their tricks have a way of turning holiday cheer into holiday fear. But rest assured—a little awareness goes a long way in staying safe throughout the season.
From AI-generated schemes to malicious QR codes and everything in between, scammers pack a host of clever tools and tactics in their holiday bag of tricks, enough to give anyone a case of the jingle bell shocks. That’s why it’s worth brushing up on the season’s most common scams.
1. Romance Scams (‘The Grinch Who Stole My Heart…& My Money’)
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…SCAMS!
The holidays can feel especially lonely for some—and fraudsters know it. Romance scammers often ramp up activity this time of year, using emotional manipulation to form online “relationships” and eventually request money, gift cards, or personal information.
How it usually goes down: A charming “new connection” appears on a dating app or social platform. They shower you with compliments, share personal stories, and build quick intimacy. Then comes the ask.
I want to visit for the holidays, but my account is frozen.
I need help buying a last-minute gift for my daughter.
My trip home fell apart. Could you loan me something until payday?
Once money is sent, they vanish faster than Frosty on a sunny day. That’s why it’s important to watch for the red flags:
- They refuse to video chat or meet in person.
- Their stories are dramatic, urgent, or inconsistent.
- They push for conversations to move off-platform.
- They ask for money of any kind.
The moral of this Christmas story: Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal info to an online-only romantic interest. When in doubt, talk it through with someone you trust—holiday love should feel joyful, not like a Hallmark plot gone wrong.
2. Charity Scams (The Ghost of Christmas Gifts)
‘Tis the season of giving—and scammers know your heart grows three sizes this time of year. That’s why they like to impersonate well-known nonprofits or create fake holiday charities, hoping your generosity will override your healthy skepticism.
So what does this scam look like? You’ll usually receive a heartfelt email, text, or social media plea from a charity claiming to help kids, veterans, pets, disaster survivors, or displaced elves. The message is urgent (“Tonight only!”), emotional (“Your gift will save Christmas for a child in need”), and highly polished…because scammers are getting better at this every year.
Some even build entire counterfeit websites, complete with stolen logos and mission statements, “Donate Now” buttons that lead straight to a scammer’s wallet, and fake testimonials from families who don’t exist.
Signs of a charity scam:
- Requests for donations via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Charity names that sound familiar—but aren’t quite right.
- Pressure to give right now before you have time to verify.
Before donating your yuletide cash, confirm the organization through trusted sources like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
3. Fake Holiday Invitations (The Elf-Mail That Wasn’t)
Holiday e-cards are delightful—unless they’re actually malicious links dressed up in snowflakes and digital glitter.
How it unfolds: You receive an email or text saying someone sent you a surprise holiday greeting or a party invite with a link that looks legit. But clicking it could lead to a spoofed login page, malware download, or phishing site. You’ll regret it faster than a frozen tongue on a flagpole.
Modern scammers even mimic well-known e-card services to boost credibility. So if Uncle Bob hasn’t sent an email since 2009, but suddenly delivers an animated snowman doing backflips, it’s best to verify with him before clicking anything.
When in doubt, ignore the link and reach out to the sender directly. Real friends won’t mind. (But the Wet Bandits might.)
4. Phony Online Stores (More Fictional Than the Man in Red)
Scammers don’t just love the holidays—they treat them like Black Friday for fraud. Fake retail websites pop up faster than you can say Cyber Monday, offering jaw-dropping deals that make shoppers click first and think later.
What it usually looks like: A flashy ad shows brand-name electronics, designer items, or limited-edition toys at unbelievable discounts. The site looks legit at first glance—but once you pay, your “order” disappears into the snowy abyss.
Common giveaways:
- Prices that defy logic (no, a $600 gaming console isn’t $79 today only.)
- No physical address or customer support line.
- Grainy product photos or oddly generic descriptions.
- A checkout process that insists on entering your credit card directly rather than offering trusted third-party payment options.
Some scam sites vanish within days, replaced by new ones with slightly different URLs—like holiday pop-up shops, but organized by Krampus.
5. Fraudulent Gift Card Giveaways (AKA the ‘Stocking Stuffer Swindle’)
Ah, gift cards—the stocking stuffer of choice for friends and relatives everywhere. But scammers also love them because they’re quick, untraceable, and hard to reverse.
You might see an online post, text message, or email promising a free $200 gift card in exchange for completing a survey, entering your information, or joining a holiday “loyalty program.” Sometimes the scam involves:
- Fake brand logos and countdown clocks.
- Surveys that ask for everything from your email to your birth date to your banking info.
- “Verification” pages crafted to harvest your credentials.
Once your data is submitted, you may experience identity theft, phishing attempts, or account compromise. Rule of thumb: If the offer sounds like something Buddy the Elf created after too much syrup, skip it.
6. Malware-Loaded QR Codes (Mischief in Every Scan)
QR codes have become the digital equivalent of mistletoe—you see them everywhere. But during the holidays, scammers often place malicious QR code stickers over legitimate ones in busy public locations.
You scan what looks like a store promo, event flyer, or parking meter code. But instead of taking you to a safe page, it sends you to a fake payment portal, a malware download, or a phishing site disguised as a coupon or offer. Talk about a scan-dal.
Some criminals even design holiday-themed QR code posters to attract more scans. Therefore, be sure to watch for:
- Stickers that are crooked, bubbly, or printed at a different quality.
- Codes placed over other codes.
- QR signs that suddenly appear in odd places.
Keep the merry, skip the malware. When in doubt, go directly to the retailer’s or event’s website—no scanning required.
7. Travel & Getaway Scams (Sorry—No Room at the Inn)
Planning a festive getaway? Scammers hope so. With AI tools, they can now generate vacation listings so convincing they could win Best Holiday Special.
Here’s what usually happens: You find a vacation rental online—maybe a cozy cabin with twinkling lights, a ski-in/ski-out chalet, or a beachfront hideaway for your holiday escape. The photos look real. The description is charming. The “owner” even sends an AI-generated video walkthrough and a friendly voice message.
But here’s the twist. The cabin doesn’t exist. The owner doesn’t exist. The entire ad is more artificial than a mall Santa’s beard.
It’s important to spot the red flags:
- Requests for deposits via wire transfer, cash apps, or gift cards.
- No reviews—or reviews that look copy-pasted.
- Convenient excuses for why you can’t see the property in person or book through a trusted platform.
When a holiday rental looks too magical to be real, it probably is.
Avoid the Nightmare Before Christmas
Don’t let scammers turn your holiday into a Griswold-level disaster. When it comes to dodging holiday scams like a snowball, it’s important to stop, think, and ask yourself: “Does this seem too good to be true?”
Then save this list…and check it twice:
- Verify online retailers and charities through trusted sources.
- Review URLs carefully for misspellings or odd variations.
- Never click suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.
- Never share personal or banking information.
- Keep your devices updated with security patches.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere you can.
- Monitor your financial accounts for unusual activity.
With a little awareness—and maybe a sprinkle of holiday humor—you can keep the season merry, bright, and fraud-free. After all, the only surprises you want this time of year should come wrapped in shiny paper, not nestled inside a message from “Santa” that really came from a scammer’s workshop.
With that, stay jolly—and Stay Cyber SMART.
