Beware the Holiday Scam Surge: Spotting Red Flags and Staying Safe Online

The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and a rush of online activity. Unfortunately, it also attracts scammers who exploit the busy season to trick people out of money and personal information. With more online shopping, charitable giving, and shipping happening, scammers find plenty of opportunities to deceive. Understanding why scams spike during the holidays and learning how to spot them can protect you and your loved ones.

Fake holiday sale website on a computer screen

Why Scams Increase During the Holidays

The holiday rush creates a perfect storm for scammers. Here are some reasons why scams spike at this time of year:

• More online shopping: People buy gifts online in large numbers, often rushing to find deals. Scammers create fake stores or fake deals to lure shoppers.

• Charitable giving: Many want to donate to charities during the season. Scammers set up fake charities or impersonate real ones to steal donations.

• Shipping and delivery: With a surge in packages, scammers send fake shipping update messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or paying fake fees.

• Seasonal urgency and distractions: The busy season means people are distracted and may not scrutinize messages or offers carefully.

• Gift cards: Gift cards are popular gifts, but scammers use them in various fraud schemes, asking for payment or gift card details.

  
  

Knowing these patterns helps you stay alert and avoid falling victim.

Common Holiday Scams to Watch For

Scammers use several common tricks during the holidays. Here are the most frequent scams to watch out for:

Fake Online Stores

Scammers create websites that look like legitimate stores offering popular products at deep discounts. These sites may take your money but never deliver the goods. They often have:

• Poor website design or spelling errors

• No clear contact information

• Prices that seem too good to be true

  
  

Phishing Emails and Texts

You may receive emails or texts pretending to be from retailers, delivery services, or charities. These messages often ask you to click links or provide personal information. They may claim:

• Your order has a problem

• There is a shipping delay

• You won a prize or gift card

  
  

Fraudulent Shipping Update Messages

Scammers send fake shipping notifications asking you to confirm details or pay fees. These messages often include links to malicious websites or ask for payment via unusual methods.

Fake Charities

Scammers exploit holiday generosity by creating fake charities or impersonating real ones. They pressure you to donate quickly, often via wire transfer or gift cards.

Gift Card Scams

Scammers ask for payment or donations using gift cards, which are hard to trace. They may request card numbers or PINs over the phone, email, or text.

Suspicious holiday phishing text message on a smartphone

Red Flags to Spot Holiday Scams

Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid scams. Watch out for these red flags:

• Too-good-to-be-true deals: Extremely low prices or offers that seem unrealistic.

• Unsolicited messages: Emails, texts, or calls you did not expect, especially asking for personal info.

• Unusual payment requests: Requests to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

• Suspicious URLs: Links that do not match the official website or have strange spellings.

• Pressure to act quickly: Messages that create a false sense of urgency to make you act without thinking.

• Poor grammar and spelling: Many scam messages contain errors or awkward phrasing.

• Lack of contact information: Legitimate businesses provide clear ways to reach customer service.

  
  

How Midwest Networking Services Can Help

Midwest Networking Services understands the risks of holiday scams and offers support to keep you safe online. They provide:

• Security advice: Tips on recognizing scams and protecting your devices.

• Network protection: Tools to secure your home or business network from cyber threats.

• Email filtering: Solutions to reduce phishing emails and spam.

• Training: Guidance for employees or family members on safe online habits.

  
  

By working with experts, you can reduce your risk and enjoy a safer holiday season.

Staying Safe This Holiday Season

Here are practical steps to protect yourself from holiday scams:

• Shop only on trusted websites. Verify URLs carefully.

• Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts.

• Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.

• Pay with credit cards rather than gift cards or wire transfers.

• Confirm charity legitimacy through official websites like Charity Navigator.

• Track packages directly through official carrier websites.

• Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches.

• When in doubt, contact the company or charity directly using verified contact info.

  
  

Being cautious and informed helps you enjoy the holidays without falling victim to scams.