‘Tis the Season for Holiday Scams

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...for both you and scammers. According to a 2023 AARP Holiday Shopping Fraud report, 80% of U.S. consumers have experienced holiday-related fraud. But what are the top scams? Here’s what you need to know to stay safe this holiday season:

*NEW SCAM ALERT – Card declined scams. You’re told your card has been declined during an online transaction and you’re prompted to use a different card. Later you realize you were charged twice!

Watch out for text messages and emails saying there’s a problem with your shipment, even if they look like they’re coming from Amazon. And be wary of links provided for you to “re-schedule or update your delivery information.” If you receive a linked tracking number, don’t use the link – go to the delivery service website and check it yourself.

Scammers often use tactics like these to get you to:

• Pay the scammer for bogus shipping fees or taxes. 
• Click on a link that downloads malware to your device. 
• Disclose sensitive personal, financial, or account-related information. 

Criminals like to hide in plain sight, sometimes appearing in the same ways as legitimate charities. Whether it’s in-person, over the phone, through social media, or paper mail, always be skeptical of anyone asking for your money, information, or some action, like clicking on a link.

How to avoid charity fraud:

• Look carefully at the name, logo, and URL for the organization – scammers will often imitate real charities. 
• Research any organization before you donate. You can use tools like Florida’s “Check-A-Charity” or through the national Charity Navigator. 
• Don’t donate to organizations that insist you pay via cryptocurrency, gift cards, money transfer, or money payment apps; Credit cards are a safer option. 

Online shopping scams often start with a phony website, mobile app, or social media advertisement. Fraudsters may create a completely fake company or may imitate a brand you know and trust. As a result, you might be left empty-handed after paying the scammer, or receive a knockoff, low-quality product instead.

Red flags of online shopping fraud include:

• An amazing deal offered through a social media ad. 
• The online shop is very new and only has glowing reviews. 
• The site provides minimal info on privacy, dispute processes, or contact details. 

Check out the Florida Attorney General’s E-Commerce Cons guide for more information on spotting and reporting online shopping scams.

From hijacked vacation rental listings to international driving permit scams – there are countless ways for scammers to take advantage of popular travel times like the holidays. ( Be wary of “free” trips or incredibly discounted travel options – if it’s not an outright scam, there are likely hidden and unincluded costs.

How to protect yourself from travel scams:

• Look up the website to see if it’s real through resources like WhoIs.com.  
• Don’t rely on the top Google search results; use trusted sources and contact info. 
• Don’t give personal info to someone who contacts you, not even dates of travel. 

Gift cards are a go-to gift for many and they’re also a popular target for theft by fraudsters. “Gift card draining” occurs when fraudsters obtain the gift card details like the bar code, CVV number, PIN, or activation code and then spend the money before the card recipient. This is usually done be through in-store tampering of card packaging.

Tips to prevent gift card theft:

• Register your gift card when possible. 
• Use caution when checking your card balance. 
• Purchase gift cards online directly from the merchant. 

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam report the matter to law enforcement – it’s a crime. Not sure where to start? Call or visit the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.

For more scams affecting Floridians as well as the resources on how to monitor and report them, please visit AARP Florida’s Fraud Resource page at aarp.org/FLFraud.