The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, and scammers know it. With more shopping, more traveling, and more online activity, it becomes a prime time for fraud attempts. This guide breaks down twelve common holiday scams we’re seeing right now, along with easy ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Scammers often set up temporary websites that look like well-known retailers and promote deals that seem too good to pass up. Once you place an order, the item doesn’t arrive, and your payment information may be exposed.
How to stay safe:
• Check reviews before you buy
• Make sure the website address is spelled correctly
• Confirm the site uses secure checkout (“https”)
• Be cautious of retailers that list no contact information
Scammers often run ads on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok that look like real promotions from trusted brands. The product may be counterfeit, never arrive, or the website may be designed to collect your payment information.
How to stay safe:
• Avoid buying directly through an ad without researching the business
• Look up the company on your own before purchasing
• Be cautious of unusually deep discounts or limited-time offers
• Use payment methods that offer buyer protection whenever possible
Scammers sometimes pretend to be a business, government agency, or even someone you know. They create a sense of urgency and tell you the only way to fix a problem is to buy a gift card and share the numbers on the back. Once the numbers are given, the funds are gone.
How to stay safe:
• No legitimate company or agency will ever ask you to pay with a gift card
• Hang up and call the official number directly
• Never share gift card numbers by phone, text, or email
• Remember: gift cards are for gifts, not payments
Scammers send texts that look like they’re from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Amazon, claiming a package is delayed or a fee is required. The message includes a link to a fake website designed to collect your personal or payment information. These messages are a form of smishing, and you can learn more in our guide on protecting yourself from smishing scams.
How to stay safe:
• Don’t click links in unexpected delivery texts
• Track packages only through the official carrier website or app
• Delete suspicious messages, even if they look legitimate
• Remember that real carriers will not request payment by text
Scammers often pretend to be your bank or credit union by phone, text, or email. They may claim there’s an urgent issue with your account and ask for verification codes, online banking information, or other personal details. In many cases, caller ID is spoofed to make the message look legitimate.
How to stay safe:
• OCCU will NEVER ask for your PIN, passwords, or verification codes
• If something seems unusual, hang up and call us using our official number
• Never share personal information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly
• Turn on account alerts so you’re notified of any unusual activity
Scammers often set up fake charities during the holidays, using names or logos that look similar to real nonprofits. Their websites and messages may appear legitimate, but the donations go directly to the scammer. This can also include fraudulent crowdfunding pages or urgent requests for immediate payment.
How to stay safe:
• Donate only through verified nonprofit organizations
• Avoid high-pressure or emotional donation requests
• Research the charity name before giving
• Confirm the charity is registered through a trusted source (like Charity Navigator or the IRS database)
Scammers sometimes post items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other platforms, then disappear once payment is sent. In many cases, the item never existed, or the seller refuses to meet in person and pushes for quick, non-refundable payment.
How to stay safe:
• Avoid paying with Zelle®, Venmo, Cash App, or gift cards when dealing with strangers
• Meet in person in a safe, public location whenever possible
• Use buyer protection tools when available
• Be cautious of sellers who refuse to meet, request deposits, or use newly created profiles
Scammers create fake booking sites or fraudulent vacation rental listings that offer steep holiday discounts. These pages often mimic trusted travel companies or reuse photos from real listings. After you pay upfront, the reservation turns out to be fake.
How to stay safe:
• Book directly through trusted travel companies or verified rental platforms
• Be cautious of unusually low prices or requests for full payment upfront
• Confirm reservations directly with the travel provider
• Double-check the website URL before entering payment information
Scammers sometimes post listings for seasonal jobs that sound legitimate but aren’t tied to a real employer. They may ask for upfront fees, request personal information early in the process, or send a check and ask you to return part of the money. In most cases, the job never existed.
How to stay safe:
• You should never be asked to pay to apply, train, or receive equipment
• Take a moment to verify that the company and job listing are legitimate
• Be cautious of vague job descriptions or pay that seems unusually high
• Avoid positions that skip the interview process or ask for sensitive information right away
Scammers sometimes post fake customer service numbers online for retailers, shipping companies, or financial institutions. These numbers may appear in search results or on websites that look legitimate. When you call, the scammer poses as support and attempts to gather your personal or account information.
How to stay safe:
• Use customer service numbers listed on a company’s official website
• Be cautious of search results marked as “ad” or sponsored
• Type the business’s web address directly into your browser instead of clicking links
• Never share your online banking login information or verification codes over the phone
Scammers will send emails that appear to come from a coworker, supervisor, friend, or family member. They often ask for urgent help buying e-gift cards and request that the codes be sent by email or text. In many cases, the sender’s name is spoofed to make the message look legitimate.
How to stay safe:
• Double-check the sender’s full email address
• Reach out to the person directly using another contact method
• Be cautious of messages that ask for urgency or say they cannot talk directly
• Treat ANY unexpected request for gift cards as suspicious
Scammers often send emails that look like order or shipping confirmations from well-known retailers. These messages usually reference a purchase you didn’t make and include a link to “view” or “cancel” the order. The link takes you to a fake login page designed to capture your account information.
How to stay safe:
• Avoid clicking links in unexpected order or shipping emails
• Check your shopping accounts or order history directly on the retailer’s website
• Review the sender’s full email address for inconsistencies
• Report suspicious messages as phishing and delete them
At Oklahoma Central Credit Union, your security is always a top priority. Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud, especially during the busy holiday months.
If you think you’ve encountered a scam or notice any unusual activity on your account, please contact us right away. We’re here to help.