The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and generosity—but it’s also one of the busiest times of year for cybercriminals. With online shopping, digital gift-giving, travel planning, and charitable donations on the rise, threat actors take full advantage of increased digital activity and lowered vigilance. To help you stay protected, here are the most common holiday-specific cybercrimes and scams to watch for—along with practical tips to keep your data and wallet safe.
1. Fake Online Stores & Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
Cybercriminals set up realistic-looking fake storefronts offering massive discounts on popular holiday items. Once you “purchase,” you either receive counterfeit goods, nothing at all, or unknowingly give away your credit card details.
How to stay safe:
– Stick to well-known retailers or verify unfamiliar ones with reviews and domain checks.
– Look for “HTTPS” and a valid address/contact page.
– Avoid deals that seem impossibly low—scammers prey on rushed holiday shoppers.
2. Delivery Scam Texts and Emails
With millions of packages being shipped, scammers send fake notices claiming there’s a delivery issue, requesting your login, payment, or personal information.
How to stay safe:
– Track packages only through official retailer or carrier websites.
– Never click tracking links sent by unexpected text or email.
– Watch out for urgent wording like “Your package will be returned unless…”—a common phishing tactic.
3. Charity Donation Scams
The holidays inspire giving—but scammers weaponize kindness by creating fake charities or spoofing legitimate ones.
How to stay safe:
– Verify charities through trusted sites like CharityNavigator.org.
– Donate directly through official websites, not through random links.
– Be cautious of pressure to donate immediately or in gift cards/cryptocurrency.
4. Gift Card Scams
Cybercriminals frequently impersonate employers, friends, or family members asking you to purchase gift cards as part of a holiday “surprise,” “emergency,” or “promotion.”
How to stay safe:
– Treat unsolicited gift-card requests as red flags.
– Always verify with the person directly before purchasing anything.
Remember: no legitimate organization demands gift card payments.
5. Holiday Travel Booking Fraud
Scammers create fake travel deals, rental listings, or airfare discounts to steal payment details or deposit money.
How to stay safe:
– Book lodging and flights through verified travel platforms.
– Check reviews, photos, and the history of a listing.
– Be cautious of prices significantly lower than competitors—especially for last-minute holiday travel.
6. Social Media “Giveaways” and Seasonal Contests
Fake giveaways promise expensive gifts, travel packages, or store credit in exchange for likes, shares, or personal information.
How to stay safe:
– Confirm giveaways on the official brand’s website.
– Avoid giving personal information for contests—you often shouldn’t need more than a name and email.
– Watch out for cloned pages impersonating brands or influencers.
7. Fake Holiday E-Cards
Digital greeting cards are popular this time of year—but malicious e-cards often carry malware or phishing links.
How to stay safe:
– Only open e-cards from people you know and expect.
– Look for signs of phishing, like misspellings or odd sender addresses.
– When in doubt, reach out to the sender to confirm they actually sent it.
8. Gaming & Digital Gift Scams
With holiday sales across gaming platforms, scammers send fake promo codes, gift subscriptions, or “discounted” digital goods.
How to stay safe:
– Redeem digital content only through official store apps (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, etc.).
– Never share login credentials to claim a gift.
– Beware of websites selling “discount game keys” from unknown sources.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season is meant to be joyful—not stressful. Staying alert and practicing safe online habits can protect your finances, identity, and peace of mind. As cyberthreats continue to evolve, awareness remains your strongest defense.
From all of us at Foxbyte Cyber Solutions, we wish you a safe, secure, and truly wonderful holiday season! 🎄✨
