Avoid Holiday Fraud Scams This Season

‘Tis the Season for Gift Giving — and for Scammers to Strike

The holidays bring out the best in people — but they also attract fraudsters looking to take advantage of your generosity and busy schedule. Holiday fraud scams come in many forms: fake online stores, bogus delivery notifications, charity impersonators, and even counterfeit seasonal job offers.

How Common Are Holiday Scams?

According to AARP, 82% of U.S. consumers have been targeted by at least one type of holiday-related fraud. Over 56% reported receiving fake shipping notices from imposters posing as USPS, FedEx, or UPS. And in 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that non-payment and non-delivery scams cost consumers more than $309 million in losses.

Common Holiday Fraud Scams to Watch Out For

Gift Card Fraud: Scammers convince victims to pay with gift cards or drain balances from legitimate cards.
Online Shopping Scams: Too-good-to-be-true deals or pop-up ads can lead to fake websites. Always verify the seller and ensure the site is secure (look for https).
Donation Fraud: Criminals pose as charities or create fake fundraisers to collect money or personal information.
Fake Seasonal Jobs: Scammers lure job seekers with flexible “work-from-home” offers that lead to identity theft or illegal money transfers.
Delivery Notification Scams: Fraudulent texts or emails claim there’s a “missed delivery” and prompt you to click a malicious link.

How to Protect Yourself

Shop safely: Use credit cards for online purchases; they offer zero liability for unauthorized charges.
Verify before you pay: Never wire money or use prepaid gift cards for purchases.
Watch your deliveries: Track packages and avoid leaving them unattended.
Secure your inbox: Use spam filters and be cautious of unfamiliar links.
Research before donating: Confirm legitimacy through Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search.
Stay alert when job hunting: Real employers will never ask for money or personal financial details upfront.

If You Fall Victim to a Scam

File a police or mail fraud report.
Contact your bank and credit card providers immediately.
Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Alert the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the IRS complaint center about fake businesses or charities.
Monitor your credit and consider a temporary freeze with the major credit bureaus.

A Final Word

We know the holidays are a time for giving — but that shouldn’t include giving away your personal information.

Stay vigilant, use trusted payment methods, and remember: we’re always here to help protect what matters most.

Stay safe. Stay secure. Stay merry.
We’re Here for It!

We’re More Than Just a Financial Institution.

You’re looking for more than just a place to put your money. You are looking for someone to help you achieve your financial goals.

That’s where MCU comes in. We are a not-for-profit credit union, and we have been serving the financial needs of New Yorkers and their communities for over 100 years.

As a credit union, we exist to serve our members—not shareholders. This means our profits are funneled right back to you in the form of better products and services going even further to help you reach your financial goals.