Common holiday shopping scams to look out for

As people shop for family and friends during the holidays, there may be criminals looking to lure people into their holiday season scams.

Phishing scams

Phishing refers to deceptive attempts by malicious actors to trick people into revealing sensitive information. Such information might include usernames, passwords, or credit card details.

As people spend more time online browsing sales during busy shopping periods, learn how to spot and prevent phishing with these potential tips:

• Scrutinise text and emails: Ensure an email or SMS is from a legitimate website. Scammers may use similar-looking email addresses or mobile numbers. Urgent messages and misspellings could also be tell-tale signs.
• Avoid suspicious links: Never click links right away. Hover over links to see the actual URL. If it looks unusual, visit the official website by manually typing the URL instead of using the provided link.
• Keep software updated: This includes one’s browser, antivirus, and operating system. Updates often include security patches that help protect against phishing attempts.

Charity scams

Charity scams are another deceptive scheme. These scams may involve fraudsters posing as representatives of legitimate charities. They can become more common after disasters, humanitarian crises, or during holidays. To stay protected, consider these factors:

• Before donating, independently verify the legitimacy of the charity. Scammers may use names similar to well-known charities to deceive people.
• Don't share personal or financial information. Avoid giving out sensitive information such as credit card details to unsolicited callers or in response to unexpected emails.
• If people do want to contribute, visit the charity's official website or contact them by phone to make sure the donation gets into safe hands.
• Donate through a verified platform. People may want to consider donating to charity through a trustworthy platform, such as the PayPal Giving Fund.

Fake shops

Fraudulent online stores are ones that mimic the appearance of honest retailers. Designed to trick consumers, such stores may 'sell' products that do not exist, are never delivered, or are not as advertised.

People may be able to identify a fake shop if they notice:

• Too-good-to-be-true deals: Scammers often lure consumers with unbelievably low prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, there’s a chance it could be.
• Zero or falsified customer reviews: Search for reviews or testimonials about the online store. Legitimate shops usually have a track record of satisfied customers.

Shoppers may be able to identify fake shops by checking the company's location, policies, and track record of customer service. A lack of transparency could be a red flag.

Social media scams

Social media is often another source of scams targeting shoppers around the holiday season. Individuals can protect themselves by being sceptical about what they see on social media.

Here are some potential tips:

• Be wary of unsolicited offers.
• Verify an account's legitimacy.
• Watch out for phishing links.
• Protect personal information.
• Turn on any available profile security features.
• Check for verified accounts.

Travel scams

With travelling more common during the festive season, it's important for individuals to be aware of common scams around flight and other transport bookings, as well as those linked to holiday rentals and other stays away from home.

How to avoid holiday travel scams

Potential signs of scams include overly discounted flights or hotel room rates, fake travel agency websites and social media accounts, and the phishing attempts mentioned above.

People may be able to reduce their risk of holiday scams with these steps:

• Scrutinise new travel websites or social pages.
• Avoid travel deals that appear too good to be true.
• Check for real customer reviews or excessive complaints.
• Use known payment providers that provide buyer protection.
• Check if agencies are part of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

Being aware will take you far

To help curb online shopping fraud during the holidays, it’s important to remain up-to-date and vigilant about common holiday shopping scams. When in doubt, scrutinise websites before making a purchase, take precautions when sharing sensitive information, and avoid clicking on spontaneous or unverified links in emails and text messages.