Holiday Scams

Holiday Shopping Scams: 5 Ways to Spot and Avoid Them This Year If you are shopping online this holiday season, you are also shopping for fraudsters. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a significant jump from the $10 billion reported in 2023. Online shopping scams consistently rank among the top complaint categories, and during the holiday rush—when people are busy, distracted, and looking for deals—scammers increase their efforts. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online. Here’s How to Avoid It. If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link from a social media ad and ended up on a site that looked real but wasn’t, you’re not alone. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults—and the number may be higher since many scams go unreported. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Scams This Season Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this season is expected to see record online spending. Where money flows, scammers follow. Local news outlets such as WREX have already reported on the heightened risk of fraud, warning consumers to stay alert. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing a few red flags and simple precautions can keep your gift from turning into a headache. ...

Mother’s Day Shoppers Beware: Common Scams and How to Avoid Them Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and many people are still shopping for gifts. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a consumer alert warning that con artists are actively targeting Mother’s Day shoppers with fake websites, phishing emails, and gift card fraud. If you’re finishing up your gift buying online, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to verify who you’re dealing with. ...

Mother’s Day Scams Are Rising: How to Shop Safely and Avoid Getting Tricked Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning that con artists are actively targeting people looking for gifts for their mothers and mother figures. Based on complaints logged in the BBB Scam Tracker, the agency says fraudulent activity—fake websites, phishing messages, and gift card swindles—spikes every year around this holiday. Knowing what to look for can save you money and frustration. ...

BBB Warning: Mother’s Day Scams Are on the Rise – How to Shop Safely The Better Business Bureau has issued a timely alert as Mother’s Day approaches: scammers are ramping up efforts to trick holiday shoppers with fake online stores, social media ads, and phishing messages. The warning, first reported by the Daily Herald on May 7, comes as millions of people search for gifts, making this a prime window for fraudsters. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: Spot Them Before You Shop Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and with more people planning to spend than ever, scammers are already working to take advantage of the rush. According to recent reports, this year’s Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach a record high, and fraudsters see that as an opportunity. If you’re shopping for gifts online—especially if you’re not used to spotting scams—now is the time to know what to look for. ...

Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Holiday Season: What You Need to Know The holiday season is prime time for online shopping—and, unfortunately, for scammers looking to take advantage of rushed buyers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reported fraud losses in the United States hit $12.5 billion in 2024, a significant jump from previous years. Impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as well-known retailers, delivery services, or even friends, were among the top categories. ...

Holiday Shopping Scams Are Surging: How to Protect Your Wallet This Season The holiday shopping season is when scammers work the hardest. According to new data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a sharp jump from the $10 billion reported in 2023. Online shopping scams accounted for a large share of those losses, and the agency expects the trend to continue this year. ...

Holiday Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself The holiday shopping rush is a prime time for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a steep increase over previous years. Fake online stores, phishing emails disguised as shipping notifications, and too-good-to-be-true deals on social media cost people real money. The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing what to look for can save you both cash and personal information. ...