Don’t let scammers steal your holiday joy

The holiday season brings gatherings, gift-giving, and, for some, decorating in full-drama Nutcrackercore. During this busy time of year, it’s easy to let down our guard, which is exactly what scammers want. Add AI to the mix and get ready to be bombarded with holiday scams.

Flagstar’s Fraud Prevention Senior Manager Michael Barnes recommends being cautious. “Before you click a link, hit Enter to purchase that item, pick up an unsolicited phone call, or respond to a text or call from ‘your bank,’ be careful,” he said. “Remember, if the request creates a sense of urgency, asks for your information, or seems too good to be true, stop and ask yourself, ‘Does this feel right?’ before acting.”

Here’s a quick look at this year’s biggest holiday scams and how to shut them down before they do any damage.
 

Holiday scams for 2025

AI voice cloning

You get a frantic call from a loved one asking for money or gift cards. Although it sounds exactly like them, it might not be. Scammers can now clone someone’s voice with just a few seconds of audio lifted from social media. The result? A fake plea that feels painfully real.
 

Look-alike customer-service chats

Your package never arrives, so you reach out on social media. Seconds later, a “support agent” sends you a link to fix the problem. Except the agent is fake and out to steal your information. These scams come in other forms, too, like “delivery update” emails, imposter websites that rank high in search results, and ads pushing phony customer-service numbers.
 

Holiday charity and fundraising scams

You see a heartbreaking video and click to help, but your donation ends up in a criminal’s pocket instead. Americans are extra-generous during the holidays, especially for causes involving children, veterans, animals, or disaster relief—and scammers take advantage.
 

Refund and “failed delivery” scams

A text says your package can’t be delivered unless you confirm your information or pay a small fee. Or a company “accidentally” refunded you and needs you to send the money back. These messages spike during the holidays, and most are scams designed to capture your personal or payment details.
 

How to protect yourself from holiday scams

Scammers use stress, distraction, and urgency to trick us. Fight back by slowing down and remaining skeptical until proven otherwise, especially when something feels rushed or slightly off.

• Don’t mix multitasking and money.
  Whether you’re shopping, paying bills, or checking your account, stay focused on the task so you won’t accidentally share your information with the wrong people.
  
  
• Be wary of urgent messages.
  If a message requires immediate action and involves a gift card, wire transfer, or payment app, assume it’s a scam.
  
  
• Avoid unknown links, texts, and QR codes.
  Fake QR codes now appear on flyers, parking meters, restaurant tables, and even on top of legitimate delivery notices.
  
  
• Go straight to the source.
  Instead of clicking a link, open the company’s website or app on your own.
  
  
• Double-check before you donate.
  Verify nonprofits through BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool . Then, head to the official site to donate, not the link sent to you.
  
  
• Do your research before you buy.
  Find a too-good-to-be-true price? Before you buy, search the seller’s name with “reviews,” “legit,” or “scam” to see what comes back. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Also, look for sky-high shipping or mysterious processing fees and review the final amount before purchasing.
  
  
• Keep receipts and screenshots.
  Save order confirmations, item descriptions, and totals. If a package doesn’t arrive, you’ll have the proof you need to resolve or dispute it.
  
  
• Report scammers.
  If a seller takes your money and disappears, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Stop porch pirates before they strike

Whether it’s a shiny new tablet or a 30-pound bag of cat food, porch pirates don’t discriminate. Last year, an estimated 104 million packages were stolen from porches and apartment entryways.

Here’s how to keep your deliveries safe:

• Track everything.
  Turn on delivery alerts so you know exactly when a package is arriving.
  
  
• Use delivery tools.
  USPS Informed Delivery^®, UPS My Choice^®, and FedEx Delivery Manager^® let you schedule deliveries, require signatures, change drop-off spots, or route packages to a more secure location. Some retailers, like Amazon and Walmart, also offer in-home or in-garage delivery.
  
  
• Hide it or lock it up.
  A lockbox, package bench, or secured container can help deter grab-and-go thefts.

• Pick it up yourself.
  Delivery companies can hold packages, and many cities offer Amazon Lockers for secure, self-service pickup.