Holiday Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Deals and Shop Safely Online
Black Friday falls on November 27 this year, and the holiday shopping season is already gearing up. More of us shop online than ever, and scammers know it. Fake stores, too-good-to-be-true deals and requests to pay with gift cards all spike this time of year.
The good news is that a few steady habits go a long way. Here is what to watch for, how to shop more safely, and what to do if something goes wrong.
The Most Common Holiday Shopping Scams
Items That Never Arrive
The FBI calls this “non-delivery”: you pay for something you found online, and it never shows up. In its most recent Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report, the FBI says non-payment and non-delivery scams cost people more than $503 million in 2025, with credit card fraud adding another $282 million. The FBI also notes that many complaints come in early in the new year, after the holiday shopping season.
Deals That Look Too Good
A brand-name item at a fraction of the usual price is a classic warning sign. The FTC notes that unusually low prices can mean the goods are counterfeit or stolen, if they exist at all. Fake ads on social media often lead to look-alike websites.
“Pay Me With a Gift Card”
No real store or seller will insist that you pay with a gift card. According to the FTC, anyone who demands payment by gift card is a scammer. The same goes for wire transfers and cryptocurrency.
Fake “Problem With Your Order” Messages
Emails or texts may claim there is a problem with your account or delivery and ask you to click a link or update your password. The FBI advises against clicking. Instead, go to the store’s website or app yourself, or call a number you look up on your own.
Simple Habits for Safer Online Shopping
- Research new sellers. Search the store’s name with words like “complaint” or “scam,” and read reviews from more than one place. Don’t rely on star ratings alone, since some reviews are fake.
- Type the address yourself. Go straight to a store you know rather than clicking an ad or a link in a message.
- Pay with a credit card. The FTC says a credit card gives you the strongest protection if something goes wrong. Check your statements regularly during the season.
- Look for “https,” but don’t stop there. It means the connection is secure, not that the store is honest.
- Know the real cost. Add shipping, taxes and fees, and read the return policy before you buy.
- Keep records. Save the order confirmation, the seller’s name and website, and any emails. Ask for a tracking number.
By law, sellers must ship when they promise. If no time is stated, the FTC says they must ship within 30 days.
Buying Gift Cards as Gifts
Gift cards themselves make lovely presents. The FTC suggests buying them from stores you know rather than online auction sites, checking that the protective sticker is intact and the PIN isn’t showing, and keeping the receipt. A quick photo of the card and receipt is handy too.
If Something Goes Wrong
- Contact the seller first and try to resolve it.
- If you paid by credit card, call your card company right away to dispute the charge. The FTC notes you should also send a letter within 60 days of the first bill that shows the problem.
- If you paid with a gift card, call the gift card company immediately, tell them it was used in a scam, and ask for your money back. Keep the card and receipt.
- Report online shopping fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- For free, friendly guidance, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. If you are 60 or older, the DOJ National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) can help you report.
Being scammed is never a reason for shame. Scammers work hard to make their offers look real. Reporting helps protect the next shopper.
