Avoiding Common Scams This Holiday Season
The holidays bring joy, generosity, and festive cheer—but unfortunately, they also bring an increase in scams targeting shoppers, donors, and travelers. Fraudsters are aware that people are busy, distracted, and more likely to trust during this season, making it an ideal time to strike.
Whether you’re shopping online for the perfect gift or donating to a meaningful cause, being aware of holiday scam prevention tips can help you stay safe. At Encompass Credit Union, we offer secure financial tools to protect your money, including Home Banking and Mobile Banking, so you can shop and give with confidence. Learn more about these options on our Services page.
Why Holiday Scams Are on the Rise
From November to January, online shopping surges, charitable donations increase, and package deliveries reach their peak. Scammers take advantage of this by creating fake websites, sending phishing messages, and posing as delivery services or charities.
These schemes often look convincing—complete with professional logos, urgent messaging, and even spoofed phone numbers. Staying informed is your first defense. For more online safety recommendations, please visit our Important Information page.
Common Holiday Scams
1. Smishing & Phishing Texts and Emails
Fraudsters often send fake shipping updates or “special holiday deal” messages to trick you into clicking malicious links. The U.S. Postal Service warns that legitimate carriers never send unsolicited tracking links.
2. Fake Charities
The season’s generosity can be exploited by scammers pretending to represent local or national charities. They might use names that closely resemble real organizations or create emotional stories to push you into donating quickly.
3. Gift Card & Non-Delivery Scams
In these scams, victims are asked to pay with gift cards or prepay for items that never arrive. Gift cards are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover once used, making them a scammer’s favorite.
4. Bogus Holiday Deals & Online Shops
Too-good-to-be-true prices and suspicious websites often pop up around the holidays. These fake stores may steal your money—or your personal and financial information—without delivering any goods or services.
5. Package Theft & Counterfeit Postage
Beyond online scams, physical theft spikes during the holidays. Packages left on porches are easy targets, and fake postage scams can lead to delayed or lost deliveries.
Warning Signs You Might Be Targeted
Look out for these red flags when shopping or donating:
Unsolicited requests for payment or personal information.
Messages with urgent deadlines or threats.
Payment requests via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Emails or sites with misspellings, poor grammar, or unusual domain names.
Charities without verifiable contact information or official registration.
Holiday Scams Prevention: Practical Tips
Utilize secure Encompass Credit Union tools, such as Home Banking and Mobile Banking, to monitor accounts and make secure payments. Learn more on our Services page.
Shop directly with well-known retailers and type in their URLs yourself, rather than clicking on links from emails or ads.
Be cautious with social media ads—verify the business through reviews and a physical address to ensure authenticity.
Track deliveries using the official carrier’s website, not links sent in texts or emails.
Pay with credit cards instead of debit cards or gift cards for added fraud protection.
Keep your devices secure with updated software, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication. More tips are available on our Important Information page.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud
Quick action can limit the damage:
Contact Encompass Credit Union immediately to report suspicious account activity.
Change passwords for your accounts and enable multi-factor authentication where possible.
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports.
Review our guide, What to Do If You’re a Victim of Fraud.
If you need help or have questions, visit our Contact Us page to reach our team.
Keeping the Holidays Merry—and Scam-Free
The best gift you can give yourself this holiday season is peace of mind. By following online safety tips during the holiday season and staying alert, you can protect your finances, identity, and holiday spirit. Share these insights with family and friends so everyone in your circle can enjoy a safe, scam-free season.
Encompass Credit Union is here to help—whether through our Services, resources on Important Information, or support from our Contact Us page.
Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy the season!