3 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Seasonal Scams
The holiday season brings opportunities to connect with loved ones, find great deals, and give back to causes you care about. Unfortunately, it can also bring an increase in scams created to take advantage of holiday shoppers and generous donors. According to the 2025 AARP Fraud Watch Network report, 89% of U.S. consumers have been targeted by or experienced at least one form of holiday-related fraud. With scams becoming more common during the holiday season, it’s important to be aware of warning signs.
Take a Second Look at Delivery Messages
‘Tis the season for gifts and packages arriving on your doorstep, and scammers know that too. You may receive emails or text messages that appear to be from UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service. These messages may notify you of an incoming or missed delivery with a link to a sign-in page. It’s important to take a second look at these messages, as clicking on these links can lead to fake sign-in pages requesting personal information or to websites that install harmful software, called malware, on your device.
If you’re unsure if a message is legitimate or a scammer, don’t click on any links. Go to the shipper’s website and track your package using the tracking number. You can also check previous order confirmation emails which may contain tracking information.
Shop on Trusted Websites
Scammers can create fake social media campaigns and use artificial intelligence (AI) to create websites that appear legitimate. Online advertisements can link to websites that contain harmful software. Advertisements and website links can send you to fake websites to get you to purchase a fake product or enter your personal information. Before clicking on a link, confirm you are visiting the website you want to visit. When you go to purchase anything online, be sure you are ordering from a trusted website.
Most importantly, if a deal feels too good to be true, it just might be. Shopping in person can also reduce some of the risks associated with fraudulent online retailers.
Double Check the Charity Before Donating
The end of the year is a season full of the spirit of gratitude and generosity for many. According to the 2025 Giving USA Foundation’s annual report, Americans contributed $617.2 billion to charities in 2025. Unfortunately, this season of giving also creates opportunities for scammers to take advantage of people’s generosity.
Before donating, consider looking for charities on your own rather than relying on unsolicited donation requests. Do your research, check the website, and use your credit card if you decide to donate. Using your credit card can make it easier to check where your payment was sent. It also gives you the ability to dispute the charge with your credit card company if you find out the organization was not genuine.
Sources:
McGrady, Wendy. “Looking Beyond the Headlines: What Giving USA 2026 Means for Nonprofit Leaders.” Giving USA (2025). doi: https://givingusa.org/looking-beyond-the-headlines-what-giving-usa-2026-means-for-nonprofit-leaders/.
Sauer, Jennifer. “Preparing for the Holiday Scam Season.” AARP (2025). doi: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/fraud-consumer-protection/holiday-shopping-scams-2025/.
van Dyk, Deirdre. “Holiday-Related Scams to Watch for in 2025.” AARP (2025). doi: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/holiday/?msockid=
244169b9b0ab620515797fcbb167630d.
van Dyk, Deirdre. “Tips for Spotting Charity Fraud When Donating.” AARP (2026). doi: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/charity/.