Louisville, December 26, 2025
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports a notable increase in holiday scams, urging consumers to be cautious during this festive season. With the rise in online shopping and charitable giving, numerous scams have been identified, including misleading social media ads and fake charities. The BBB outlines 12 prevalent scams, emphasizing the need for consumer vigilance and caution to protect against fraud. Tips for safeguarding personal information and ensuring donation legitimacy are provided to help individuals navigate the holiday shopping landscape safely.
Louisville, Kentucky – December 26, 2025
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has reported a significant increase in holiday scams this year, urging consumers to exercise heightened vigilance during the festive season.
Surge in Holiday Scams
The holiday season traditionally sees a surge in consumer activity, including increased online shopping and charitable giving. Unfortunately, this also opens the door for fraudsters who exploit this heightened activity to execute various scams. The BBB has identified 12 prevalent scams targeting consumers this holiday season, highlighting the need for vigilance among shoppers.
Some of the scams to be aware of include misleading social media ads, where deceptive advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok lured shoppers into paying for items that were never delivered or were counterfeit. There are also schemes involving social media gift exchanges, where individuals are tricked into sending money or gifts to strangers. Furthermore, the emergence of holiday apps that appear as festive games but are designed to collect user data or distribute malware has drawn significant concern.
Recognizing Scams
Other scams reported by the BBB include fake toll collection texts, where fraudsters impersonate toll agencies, sending texts claiming unpaid tolls and directing recipients to malicious links. Additionally, ‘free’ gift card phishing emails ask for personal information in exchange for seemingly free gift cards, leading to identity theft. Job seekers are also targeted by temporary holiday job scams that promise employment but require upfront fees or personal details.
Imposter scams have risen in prominence; fraudsters create fake websites or social media accounts posing as trusted brands to steal money or data. Notably, fake charities solicit donations, exploiting the goodwill of generous individuals during the holiday season. Scammers are even using fake shipping notifications to trick consumers into revealing personal information. Furthermore, products like advent calendar scams and holiday wish list scams have been identified, where fraudulent listings for popular items often turn out to be either nonexistent or of poor quality. Lastly, puppy and pet scams continue to deceive potential pet owners, with fake listings leading to financial losses without any animal delivered.
Protecting Yourself During the Holidays
To combat the rise of holiday scams, the BBB advises consumers to remain informed and cautious. It is essential to research retailers and verify the legitimacy of charities before making donations. Shoppers should also be wary of unsolicited communications that may ask for sensitive information. Utilizing secure payment methods and avoiding sharing personal information with unverified sources can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most common holiday scams reported by the BBB?
The BBB has identified 12 prevalent scams this holiday season, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges, holiday apps, fake toll collection texts, ‘free’ gift cards, temporary holiday jobs, imposter scams, fake charities, fake shipping notifications, advent calendar scams, holiday wish list scams, and puppy and pet scams.
How can consumers protect themselves from holiday scams?
Consumers can protect themselves by researching retailers, verifying the legitimacy of charities, being wary of unsolicited communications, using secure payment methods, and avoiding sharing personal information with unverified sources.
Why do scams increase during the holiday season?
Scammers exploit the increase in online shopping and charitable giving during the holiday season, taking advantage of consumers’ heightened activity and generosity.
Key Features of Holiday Scams
| Scam Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Misleading Social Media Ads | Deceptive advertisements on social media platforms leading to counterfeit or non-delivered products. |
| Social Media Gift Exchanges | Fraudulent schemes tricking individuals into sending money or gifts to strangers under the guise of gift exchanges. |
| Holiday Apps | Fake applications designed to collect user data or distribute malware, often disguised as festive games or tools. |
| Fake Toll Collection Texts | Scammers impersonate toll agencies, sending texts claiming unpaid tolls and directing recipients to malicious links. |
| ‘Free’ Gift Cards | Phishing emails offering free gift cards in exchange for personal information, leading to identity theft. |
| Temporary Holiday Jobs | Scams targeting job seekers with fake employment opportunities that require upfront fees or personal information. |
| Imposter Scams | Fraudsters create fake websites or social media accounts posing as trusted brands to steal data or money. |
| Fake Charities | Bogus organizations soliciting donations, especially during the holiday season, to exploit generous individuals. |
| Fake Shipping Notifications | Phishing messages pretending to be from delivery services, aiming to steal personal information or install malware. |
| Advent Calendar Scams | Fraudulent holiday products, like advent calendars, that may not arrive or are of inferior quality. |
| Holiday Wish List Scams | Counterfeit listings for popular items, especially on resale sites, that are either non-existent or substandard. |
| Puppy and Pet Scams | Fake online pet listings where scammers take money without delivering the animal. |
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