The holiday season is a time for celebrating, giving, and spending time with loved ones—but it’s also a time when fraudsters become more active.
With increased online shopping, travel, charitable giving, and gift purchases, many people experience changes in their usual spending habits. Busy schedules and holiday distractions can make it easier to overlook warning signs of scams. Knowing how common holiday scams work and how to protect yourself can help you enjoy the season while keeping your money and personal information safe.
Why holiday scams increase during the festive season
Fraudsters often take advantage of:
- Increased online shopping
- More frequent deliveries and shipping notifications
- Charitable giving
- Emotional connections with family, friends, and loved ones
- Busy schedules and distractions
Scammers create convincing messages and situations designed to make you act quickly before you have time to think. Remember: taking a moment to verify a request can help protect your finances.
Common holiday scams to watch for
Online shopping scams
Online shopping is one of the biggest areas of risk during the holiday season.
Common online shopping scams include:
Fake websites
Fraudsters may create websites that look like legitimate retailers but are designed to steal payment information or personal details.
Warning signs include:
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Prices that seem too good to be true
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Poor website design or unusual website addresses
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Limited contact information
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Requests for unusual payment methods
Fake product listings
Scammers may advertise popular products that do not exist or are significantly different from what was promised.
Before purchasing:
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Research the seller
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Read reviews
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Compare prices with trusted retailers
Fake shipping notifications
Scammers often send fake emails or text messages claiming there is a problem with your delivery.
These messages may ask you to:
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Click a link
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Confirm personal information
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Pay a small “delivery fee”
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Update payment details
Avoid clicking links in unexpected delivery messages. Instead, visit the retailer or shipping company website directly.
Fake event tickets
Fraudsters may sell fake tickets for concerts, sporting events, or holiday experiences. Always purchase tickets through official sellers or trusted platforms.
Charity scams
The holiday season brings out generosity—but scammers also take advantage of people’s desire to help others.
Common charity scams include:
- Fake charities
- Fake donation requests
- Fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns
Before donating:
- Research the organization
- Confirm the charity’s legitimacy
- Avoid donating through unexpected messages or social media requests
Impersonation and confidence scams
Confidence scams work by building trust and creating emotional pressure.
Scammers may pretend to be:
- Family members
- Friends
- Celebrities
- Companies
- Contest organizers
Common examples include:
- Fake contests and giveaways
- Requests for gift cards
- Impersonation scams
- Fake travel offers
- Fake investment or money-making opportunities
Be cautious if someone pressures you to act quickly or keep a financial request secret.
Romance scams during the holidays
Romance scams can increase during the holiday season when some people may feel more isolated or vulnerable.
Fraudsters often create fake online relationships and eventually ask for:
- Money
- Gift cards
- Personal information
- Financial assistance
Remember that someone you have only met online should never pressure you to send money or share banking information.
Debit card skimming and payment scams
Card skimming can happen at ATMs, gas pumps, and payment terminals. Fraudsters may attach devices designed to capture card information.
Protect yourself by:
- Checking payment machines before using them
- Looking for anything unusual attached to the card reader
- Covering your PIN when entering it
- Monitoring your account activity regularly
During busy shopping periods, take a few extra seconds to check the payment terminal before completing your transaction.
How to protect yourself from holiday scams
Verify websites before shopping
Before entering payment information online:
- Check that the website address is correct
- Look for secure payment options
- Avoid unfamiliar websites offering unrealistic deals
If you are unsure, search for the retailer independently rather than clicking a link from an email or social media post.
Be cautious with emails and text messages
Be careful with unexpected messages claiming to be from:
- Retailers
- Delivery companies
- Charities
- Financial institutions
Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments unless you are confident the message is legitimate.
Never share personal or banking information
Never share:
- Online banking passwords
- PINs
- Security codes
- Gift card numbers
- Banking information
Legitimate organizations will not ask you to provide sensitive information through unexpected messages.
Use safer payment methods when shopping online
For online purchases, consider using payment methods that provide additional fraud protection. Many consumers choose credit cards for online shopping because they may offer dispute and fraud protection features.
Avoid pressure tactics
Scammers often create urgency by saying:
- “Act now”
- “Your account will be closed”
- “You must pay immediately”
- “This offer expires today”
Take time to verify requests before sending money or sharing information.
Protect your accounts during the holidays
Additional steps that can help protect your finances include:
- Setting up account alerts
- Reviewing transactions regularly
- Using strong passwords
- Enabling multi-factor authentication where available
- Keeping your devices and apps updated
Frequently asked questions about holiday scams
What are the most common holiday scams?
Common holiday scams include fake shopping websites, delivery scams, gift card scams, charity scams, romance scams, and impersonation scams.
How can I tell if an online store is legitimate?
Research the website, check reviews, verify the URL, and avoid deals that seem unrealistic. When in doubt, purchase directly through a retailer’s official website.
What should I do if I think I have been scammed?
Contact your financial institution immediately, report suspicious activity, monitor your accounts, and follow recommended steps to secure your information.
Are gift cards a common scam payment method?
Yes. Fraudsters often request gift cards because they are difficult to recover once the numbers have been shared. Be cautious of anyone requesting payment through gift cards.
The bottom line
The holidays should be a time of celebration—not financial stress caused by fraud. By staying alert, verifying requests, protecting your personal information, and monitoring your accounts, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a holiday scam.
If something feels suspicious, take a moment to pause and verify before taking action.
YNCU members who know or suspect they are a victim of fraud or a scam can contact the Service Excellence Centre at 1-888-413-9628. You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
