Avoid Holiday Scams: Must-Know Tips for Safe Shopping

The holiday season is a time for shopping, gifting, and giving—but unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are more active than ever. From fake websites to phishing emails, holiday shopping scams can quickly ruin the festive spirit. Whether you’re buying gifts for loved ones, donating to a favorite charity, or snagging the best holiday deals, staying vigilant is critical.

We wanted to share tips for avoiding fraud during the 2024 holiday season, as provided by the United States Secret Service.

We’ve broken down how you can protect yourself (and your wallet) against the most common scams this holiday season.

1. Buy Gift Cards for Gifts, Not Payments
While gift cards make excellent presents, scammers often trick victims into using them as a payment method. A legitimate company or provider will never ask you to pay for goods, services, or debts using a gift card. If someone demands a gift card over the phone, email, or text, it’s a scam—no exceptions.

Pro Tip: Protect your gift cards by buying them directly from trusted retailers and checking for signs of tampering before purchase.

2. Charity Scams
The holidays evoke generosity, and scammers exploit this by creating fake charities or imitating well-known ones. They often pressure you to donate quickly, making it difficult to verify their legitimacy.

How to Stay Safe:

• Research organizations on trusted platforms.
• Verify the charity’s website address. Scammers frequently use URLs that mimic real nonprofits.
• Avoid donating through unsolicited calls, emails, or social media messages.

3. Beware of False Advertisements
Too-good-to-be-true deals often are. Scammers prey on shoppers by creating fake e-commerce sites or posting fraudulent ads. These sites may take your money without shipping the product or deliver counterfeit items.

What to Do:

• Stick to trusted retailers you’ve used before.
• Check for proper website security by looking for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar.
• Read reviews and user comments online to verify seller reliability.
• Be on the lookout for “lookalike stores” on Social Media.
• Read reviews about the seller to verify the legitimacy of the seller and the product.

4. Watch Out for Scam Delivery Messages
Fake delivery notifications spike during the holiday season. Scammers send texts or emails claiming there’s a problem with your package and request payment or personal information to resolve it.

Tips to Avoid Falling for These Scams:

• Verify tracking numbers directly with the delivery company’s official site.
• Never click suspicious links or provide personal details to unknown senders.

5. Voucher Scams
Be cautious when offered free vouchers or coupons with overly enticing holidays deals. Scammers often create fake promotions to collect your personal details, which they can use for phishing or identity theft.

To stay safe:

• Rely only on promotions from well-known, trusted brands.
• Avoid engaging with contests or giveaways shared only through social media or email.

6. Top Tips for Avoiding Holiday Shopping Scams
Guard Your Personal Information
Always be careful when providing private information online. Scammers can use even a small amount of data to commit identity theft.

Rule of Thumb: If a deal or request requires too much information (such as Social Security numbers, full address, or bank details), it’s likely not legitimate.

Slow Down: During bustling holiday sales, you might feel the pressure to act fast—but scammers rely on this sense of urgency to trap victims. Take a moment to evaluate offers and verify credibility.

Use Caution When Shopping Online: With so much holiday shopping occurring online, cybercriminals can easily set up fake storefronts. Use these precautions when online shopping:

• Avoid public Wi-Fi when entering payment details or accessing sensitive accounts.

Verify Before Donating: Scammer emails and holiday donation pleas often pull at your heartstrings. Before donating, confirm the legitimacy of the organization and ensure your money reaches the intended recipients.

Stay Vigilant, Stay Protected
This holiday season, protect your finances and peace of mind by taking these steps to identify and avoid scams. Keep yourself, your family, and your personal information safe while enjoying the festivities.

At Commerce Bank of Wyoming, we’re committed to keeping our community informed and secure. Our commitment to your financial safety means we’re here to help you navigate potential shopping scams and protect your finances. Here’s how we can assist:

Fraud Monitoring and Alerts
Our advanced fraud detection systems continuously monitor your accounts for any unusual activity. By enrolling in our alert services, you’ll be promptly notified of any suspicious transactions, allowing you to act quickly to secure your accounts.

Secure Payment Options
We offer a secure payment method, with our debit cards that has built-in fraud protection and digital wallets that enhance transaction security. Leveraging these tools can shield your finances from potential scams.

Banking with Expert Guidance
Our experienced team is always available to provide personalized advice tailored to your specific needs. Whether it’s setting up safeguards for your accounts or understanding the signs of financial scams, our experts are ready to assist you.

Educational Resources
We provide valuable resources designed to increase your awareness and knowledge of common scams. Our commitment to education empowers you with the skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

Joining forces with Commerce Bank of Wyoming not only safeguards your financial assets but also builds a robust defense against scams during the holiday season and beyond. Engage with us to secure your financial well-being while enjoying the festivities with confidence and ease.

For more detailed information and guidelines on avoiding holiday scams, we recommend visiting the U.S. Secret Service’s official website. They offer comprehensive resources aimed at educating the public about different types of fraud, how to recognize them, and steps to protect yourself from falling victim. Their insights and recommendations provide an additional layer of support and assurance as you navigate the holiday season’s potential risks. Visit https://www.secretservice.gov/investigations/avoidscams page for further guidance.