The holiday season brings an increase in online shopping, digital payments, and in-store purchases — and with that comes a rise in fraud attempts and scams. Understanding the most common risks, and how to shop safely, can help you protect your information while still taking advantage of seasonal deals.
Nov 12, 2025
Christopher Sayadian
The holiday season brings an increase in online shopping, digital payments, and in-store purchases — and with that comes a rise in fraud attempts and scams. Understanding the most common risks, and how to shop safely, can help you protect your information while still taking advantage of seasonal deals.
Key Takeaways
Scammers use fake sites, emails, texts, and social posts to capture payment and personal information.
Even well-known retailers have experienced data breaches — always assume your card details can be a target.
Use secure payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, etc.) to limit where your card data is stored. Learn more about why these apps are more secure in our companion blog.
Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases, keep devices updated, and enable multifactor authentication on key accounts.
Be cautious of urgency, pressure, or requests for gift cards or peer-to-peer payments.
1. Fake Retail Websites and “Too Good to Be True” Deals
Imitation sites and fraudulent storefronts are designed to look like trusted brands, but exist solely to capture your payment details or deliver counterfeit goods.
How to protect yourself:
Type retailer URLs directly or use bookmarked links.
Look for HTTPS and the padlock icon in the browser.
Watch for subtle red flags: misspellings, unusual domains, or missing contact information.
Be skeptical of extreme discounts from unfamiliar sites.
2. Phishing, Smishing, and Fake Delivery Notifications
Fraudsters send emails, texts, and DMs claiming there’s an issue with a shipment or payment, prompting you to click a link or “verify” details.
How to protect yourself:
Don’t click links from unexpected messages.
Go directly to the retailer’s or shipper’s website or app to check order status.
Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) on your key accounts to reduce the impact of stolen credentials.
3. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a favorite tool for scammers because they’re difficult to trace and easy to misuse.
How to protect yourself:
Purchase gift cards only from reputable retailers or directly from the brand.
Inspect packaging and avoid cards that look tampered with.
Never use gift cards as a form of payment to “resolve” a problem, pay a bill, or respond to unsolicited requests.
4. Social Media and Influencer Ads
Social platforms are crowded with ads and promotions, especially around the holidays. Not all of them are legitimate.
How to protect yourself:
Verify the account behind an ad or promotion.
Avoid buying directly through unfamiliar links in comments or stories.
When in doubt, navigate to the official brand website instead of purchasing through a third-party link.
5. Public Wi-Fi and Unsecured Devices
Shopping or entering payment details on public Wi-Fi, or on devices that aren’t updated, increases your exposure.
How to protect yourself:
Use your cellular network or a trusted private connection for purchases.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Use payment methods with built-in fraud protection, and consider virtual or tokenized cards for online shopping.
Bonus Tips for a Safer Holiday Season
Monitor your bank and card statements regularly.
Set up transaction alerts for real-time visibility.
Talk with family members, especially those less familiar with online shopping, about common scam tactics.
Be cautious of any message, call, or site that pressures you to act immediately.
Final Thoughts
The goal is not to create fear, but to build confidence. With a few simple habits — verifying websites, using secure payment methods, and staying alert to common scam patterns — you can significantly reduce your risk while shopping online and in-store this holiday season.
About Handled IT Partners
Handled IT Partners works with business owners large and small through their digital transformations.
Handled IT Partners will evaluate your organization, identify its capabilities, and develop a custom roadmap and operating model to align your business with your desired results. Through every stage of our extensive process, we are intentional about listening, understanding, building, and delivering the best IT infrastructure for your business.
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