News & Stories

November 2025

Protect Your Wallet: Holiday Shopping Scams

As we are getting into the holiday season, there is also an increase in fraud attempts. From fake online stores to deceptive text messages, scammers are working hard to steal your personal and financial information. Your financial security is our top priority, and we want to empower you with the knowledge to shop safely this year.

Common Holiday Scams

Fraudsters use a variety of tactics to take advantage of busy, distracted shoppers. With advancements in AI, schemes targeting online shoppers have become even more sophisticated. It’s more important than ever to carefully examine anything that seems even slightly suspicious before making a purchase.

Here are some of the most common schemes to watch for:

• Fake Websites and Social Media Ads: Scammers create convincing but fraudulent websites that mimic well-known retailers, often with a slightly altered URL. These sites, sometimes promoted through enticing social media ads, are designed to steal your payment information.
• Non-Delivery Scams: You pay for an item from a fraudulent seller, often with an unbelievably low price, and never receive your purchase.
• Phishing Emails and Texts: You may receive fake emails or text messages (smishing) from what appears to be your bank, a retailer, or a delivery service. These messages often create a sense of urgency and contain malicious links intended to steal your login credentials.
• Gift Card Fraud: A seller may insist on payment using untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate companies will never demand these forms of payment.

Your Guide to Secure Shopping

Follow these best practices to protect your finances while you shop for gifts:

• Shop on Secure Sites: Before entering any personal or payment information, verify that the website address begins with “https://” and has a padlock icon. It’s safest to type the retailer’s address directly into your browser rather than clicking a link from an ad.
• Be Skeptical of Deals That Are Too Good to Be True: If an offer seems too incredible, it probably is. Fraudsters use extreme discounts to pressure you into a quick, impulsive purchase.
• Check Your Accounts Frequently: The holidays are a busy time for spending, so it’s a good habit to monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly. This allows you to quickly spot any unauthorized charges and alert us immediately. Setting up transaction alerts can also provide real-time updates on your spending.
• Limit Public Wi-Fi Use: Avoid making purchases or entering sensitive financial information while connected to public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be insecure and monitored by hackers. Use a secure network or a VPN instead.