As Christmas approaches, crimes known as “Santa Frauds” are on the rise.
The Better Business Bureau, a consumer protection organization, has released a report on this year’s “Scams of the Holidays,” warning that “this year in particular, there are many scams related to online shopping, shipping, donations, and job hunting.”
Reports of fraud between November and December were two to three times higher than usual, and most of these scams exploit consumers’ impatience to buy gifts, using “too good to be true” deals to steal personal information and money. This year’s most common scam involves creating fake ads or fake shopping malls on social media. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are flooded with ads like “90% off the most popular toys of the year.” Clicking on them leads to a fake website that looks exactly like the real thing, but even after completing the purchase, the item never arrives.
Next up is the smishing text scam. Random texts are sent saying, “Your shipment has been delayed. Just pay 99 cents and we’ll send it again.” Unintentionally clicking on the link installs malware and steals your card information.
Another scam involves secretly copying and pasting the PIN number from the back of a gift card displayed on a store shelf, then stealing the money immediately after someone else makes a purchase. Another popular Christmas event, the “secret sister” gift exchange, promises, “If you give a gift to one person, 36 others will give you a gift,” leading to scams where victims end up paying for nothing. They often impersonate charities and ask for donations for purposes such as supporting orphanages, disaster victims, or rescuing abandoned dogs.
Any request for “gift cards or cryptocurrency” is 100% a scam.
Experts emphasize the following tips for preventing year-end scams: “Don’t be fooled by too-low prices.” Search for suspicious websites or products on the consumer protection group’s website (bbb.org/scam tracker). Donation notifications should not be clicked immediately; instead, check the delivery company’s official website or app.
Always decline any requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. When making donations, they urge consumers to consult charity evaluation websites and contact the organization directly for verification.
Consumer protection groups emphasize, “The holiday season is busy and emotionally charged, so don’t rush and be skeptical for just 30 seconds. A moment’s decision can save you $300 or even $3,000.”
With Christmas trees sparkling and the holiday shopping season approaching, scammers are also on the lookout. They urge consumers to be more cautious for the sake of a happy holiday season and peace in their homes.