What new scams should I be watching for this holiday shopping season?

🛍️ 1. AI-Powered Fake Deals & Stores

Scammers are using generative AI to build very convincing fake ads, storefronts & websites offering “too-good-to-be-true” holiday deals. These sites look polished with realistic product photos and reviews — but they’ll take your money and deliver nothing. Axios+1

Watch for:

Ads on social media or search that redirect to unfamiliar URLs
Sites with weird domain names (e.g., extra words, unusual endings like “.shop”)
Unrealistic discounts on popular electronics, toys, or giftables

👉 Always go directly to a retailer’s official website rather than clicking a link in an ad.

📦 2. Fake Shipping & Delivery Alerts (Smishing/Phishing)

Scammers send texts or emails appearing to be from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon with urgent tracking or delivery problems. The link will ask you to confirm personal info or payment — which steals credentials or installs malware. AARP Local+1

Red flags:

Unexpected messages asking you to “verify delivery”
Shortened URLs or links that don’t match the carrier’s official domain
Requests for passwords or payment info

Tip: Track from the store’s official site or app instead.

💳 3. Gift Card Scams & Tampering

Fraudsters may tamper with gift cards in stores or push fake “free gift card” offers online that require you to enter personal data first. Once activated, some cards are drained instantly. AARP Local

Safety:

Buy gift cards from a cashier or directly from the retailer
Inspect packaging for signs of tampering before purchase

🎁 4. Bogus Holiday Job Offers

Seasonal employment scams are especially common this time of year and often promise easy money — but they want your personal info or deposit first. Yahoo

If it sounds too easy:
Verify the company through its official HR page or trusted job boards before applying.

🎄 5. Fake Charity & Donation Requests

Holiday goodwill means more solicitations — but fake charities and bogus crowdfunding pages are abundant. Scammers exploit seasonal generosity via phone calls, texts, and social media. AARP Local

Tip:
Only donate through verified charity databases like Charity Navigator or Give.org.

🛑 6. Account Takeovers and Phishing

Fraudsters use social engineering to get your login credentials for retail, bank, or travel accounts, then drain funds or loyalty points. This year the FBI has flagged a rise in account takeover fraud tied to holiday phishing. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Protect Yourself:

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Use strong, unique passwords
Don’t enter credentials from links in texts or emails

📲 7. Mobile & QR Scams

QR codes and mobile shopping apps make life easier — but they’re also being exploited. Fake QR codes can redirect you to malicious pages that collect info or install malware. Schneider Downs

Best practice:
Scan codes only from trusted sources and use official apps from Apple App Store or Google Play.

🧠 Bonus Red Flags to Watch For

Requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer — these are strong signs of a scam. TheStreet
Emails or texts claiming your card was declined but actually aim to extract more account info. AARP Local
Deepfake calls/texts that sound like someone you know or a recognizable brand.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

Here are some proven safeguards for the season:
✅ Use credit cards — they offer dispute protection. TheStreet
✅ Research sellers before purchasing. https://www.wdtv.com
✅ Bookmark trusted retailers so you don’t get redirected to phishing sites. BECU
✅ Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true — because they usually are.