Time to Be Wealthy

There’s nothing quite like the glow of the holiday season. The twinkling lights, the smell of cinnamon and pine, the soft hum of music floating through the air—it’s the one time of year when everything feels just a little more magical. But while we’re busy planning gatherings, wrapping gifts, and ordering one too many peppermint lattes, scammers are gearing up too—except their version of “holiday cheer” comes with phishing emails and fake storefronts.

I’ve been burned before—right in the middle of gift shopping one December—so I speak from experience when I say that some of the most convincing scams strike when we’re the most distracted. The good news? You don’t need to be paranoid—you just need to be prepared.

So consider this your holiday security briefing. Let’s unwrap the most common seasonal scams, how to spot them, and what to do when something smells fishier than grandma’s five-day-old eggnog.

Why Holiday Scams Work So Well

Scammers aren’t just opportunists—they’re strategic. The holidays are the perfect storm of emotion, urgency, and distraction. And they know it.

1. The Generosity Factor

This is the season of giving, and that makes us more emotionally open to helping others. Unfortunately, that kindness can be exploited.

Fake Charities: Scammers set up bogus nonprofits that sound like real ones. I once donated to what I thought was a disaster relief fund—only to find out later it was a fraud using copied branding from a legitimate organization.
Sob Stories in DMs: Instagram or Facebook “friends” who suddenly need cash? Be cautious. Emotional appeals are one of the oldest tricks in the scammer’s book.
Too-Timely Tragedies: Be especially wary when a campaign “just happens” to pop up right after a major disaster—it’s a common setup.

2. The “Deal” Mentality

Holiday shopping deals make it easier to miss red flags. I once clicked on a promo that looked like it came from a popular electronics retailer—and ended up on a site so convincing, I didn’t realize it was fake until my “order” disappeared into the abyss.

Spoofed Emails: Look identical to the real brand—until you check the sender’s address.
Lookalike URLs: Scam sites may change one letter or use a ".net" instead of ".com."
Social Media Traps: If you’re seeing 70% off luxury brands in an Instagram ad, it’s probably bait.

3. Holiday Haste and Hustle

In the rush of the season, we let our guard down.

Busy Minds Make Mistakes: Multi-tasking with shopping, travel, and work leaves us more vulnerable to snap decisions.
Stress Lowers Vigilance: Scammers love to catch people in moments of distraction or fatigue.
Scarcity Pressure: “Only 2 left in stock!” or “Last chance to save!” creates urgency that clouds judgment.

The Usual Suspects: Common Holiday Scams

Once you know the tactics, they’re easier to spot. These are the scams that show up every. single. year.

1. Phishing and Spoof Emails

They look like they’re from Amazon, your bank, or even your favorite airline. But they’re not.

Grammar Counts: Typos and weird formatting are often dead giveaways.
Personal Info Requests: Real companies never ask you to verify passwords or payment info over email.
Suspicious Links: Hover over a link (don’t click!) to preview where it’s really going.

2. Gift Card Shakedowns

This one’s personal—I got a call one year from someone claiming to be from the IRS (spoiler: they weren’t), saying I owed back taxes. They told me to buy $1,000 in gift cards to “settle the debt.”

Red Flag #1: No legit agency accepts payment via gift card.
Red Flag #2: Urgency + secrecy (“Don’t tell the cashier why you’re buying these!”).
Red Flag #3: Asking you to read card numbers over the phone or send photos.

3. Fake Shopping Websites

You click a link for a “flash sale,” load up your cart, enter your payment details... and nothing ever ships.

Check for the Lock: Always look for the padlock symbol and “https://” before buying.
Research the Site: Look up reviews. If you can’t find anything about them online, proceed with caution.
Reverse Image Search: Scammers often steal product images. Use Google’s image search to find out if the photos are lifted from a real store.

4. Delivery Notification Scams

These are sneakier than they seem. You get a text or email saying there was an issue delivering your package, with a link to “reschedule.”

Looks Legit at First: Logos from FedEx, UPS, or USPS might be copied perfectly.
What’s the Trap?: Clicking installs malware or sends you to a phishing form.
How to Avoid It: Go to the delivery company’s official site and enter your tracking number directly.

Simple Steps to Stay Scam-Safe

Now that you know the traps, here’s how to avoid them like a holiday shopping ninja.

1. Keep Learning

Scams evolve. So should your defenses.

Bookmark Trusted Resources: Sites like FTC.gov or Better Business Bureau post real-time scam alerts.
Sign Up for Alerts: Some banks and credit card companies notify you of suspicious charges instantly.
Follow Cybersecurity Experts: On Twitter or LinkedIn—they often share updates on trending scams.

2. Lock Down Your Info

Treat your personal data like gold.

Use Strong Passwords: A mix of characters, and never reuse them. I use a password manager—it changed my life.
Two-Factor Everything: Yes, even your holiday recipe site if it stores your card info.
Don’t Overshare Online: Scammers troll social media for info like your birthday, address, and even pet names to crack security questions.

3. Be a Verification Machine

Trust, but verify. Actually—just verify.

Call Them Directly: If you get a weird email from your bank, call the number on your card—not the one in the message.
Google the Deal: If it’s legit, others will be talking about it. If it’s not, they’ll be warning you.
Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is.

Sometimes, nothing teaches like a story from someone who’s been there. (Spoiler: I’ve been there.)

1. My Almost-Vacation Scam

I once booked a last-minute “unbelievable deal” to a tropical resort. The pictures were dreamy, the price was unbeatable... and the booking confirmation? Never showed up. Turns out, the site was a clone of a legit travel agency.

Lesson Learned: Always book through verified platforms and read multiple reviews.
Bonus Tip: Use credit cards over debit—they offer better fraud protection.

2. A Friend’s Identity Scare

A close friend got an email from her “bank” right after Cyber Monday asking to confirm a suspicious charge. She clicked, entered her login—and bam, her account was drained within hours.

Lesson Learned: Never log in from an emailed link. Go to the official site instead.
Extra Win: She called her bank immediately and recovered most of the funds—speed matters!

3. Grandma’s Charity Trouble

My grandma received a handwritten letter one year asking for donations to a “veterans support fund.” She mailed a check—and later found out it was a complete fabrication.

Lesson Learned: Always confirm organizations on Charity Navigator.
Family Rule Now: We vet every cause as a group before anyone donates during the holidays.

It’s easy to get lulled into trust on platforms that feel personal—but scammers love to blend in.

1. Ad Traps in Disguise

Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals: Deep discounts on luxury brands? Probably fake.
Clone Accounts: Pages that mimic real stores but change one character in the name.
Payment = Lost Money: If it’s not a trusted seller, don’t use Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle.

2. Guard Your Digital Life

Privacy Settings: Regularly review who can see what you post.
Avoid Oversharing: Photos of travel plans, gift receipts, or expensive purchases can make you a target.
Scam Giveaways: “Tag 3 friends and win a PS5!” Unless it’s from an official brand account, skip it.

3. Report and Block

Click Report: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have quick-report options for scams.
Warn Others: Sharing your experience can save someone else from falling into the same trap.

Speak Up: Reporting Helps Everyone

Reporting isn’t just about you—it’s about preventing others from falling into the same trap.

1. Where to Report

Phishing Emails: Forward to phishing-report@us-cert.gov
FTC Complaints: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Social Media Scams: Report directly through the platform’s reporting tools.

2. Spread the Word

Scams thrive on silence. Talk about it.

Tell Your Family: Especially older relatives or teens who may be more trusting online.
Group Text Alert: If you spot a new scam, shoot a quick message to your group chat.
Post Publicly: A short “Heads up, y’all!” can go a long way.

3. Use It as a Teaching Moment

One conversation could prevent a painful experience.

Offer Help Setting Up 2FA: Make it a bonding moment with tech-wary relatives.
Share Your Story: Vulnerability is powerful. You might be surprised how many people relate.

Wealth O'Clock!

Right Now: Verify your last 3 bank transactions—noticing any unknown ones? Duplicate this practice weekly to prevent phishing fallout.
This Week: Research trustworthy charitable organizations if donating. Bookmark them for easy holiday access.
Next Purchase: Before booking travel deals, compare offers on major travel review sites (e.g., TripAdvisor).
This Month: Educate a young family member about online safety practices using recent scam examples.
Next 90 Days: Implement two-factor authentication on at least three frequently used online accounts.
By Year-End: Review and refine your digital footprint by updating passwords, reviewing privacy settings, and verifying financial statement accuracy.

Stay Safe, Stay Smart, and Keep the Joy in the Season

The holidays should be about laughter, connection, and memories—not fraud reports and financial stress. With just a little caution, a few digital upgrades, and a sharp eye for sketchy behavior, you can keep your season merry and your money where it belongs.

Scammers may be persistent, but so are we. So keep your holiday spirit bright—and your personal info locked tight. You’ve got this.

The Scams That Always Return During the Holiday Season