The holidays are meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, filled with celebration,
generosity and plenty of cheer. But while you’re busy wrapping gifts and checking off your
shopping list, scammers are busy unwrapping new tricks designed to take advantage of the
season’s distractions. This month, our Shield Your Savings series focuses on helping you stay
aware, informed and financially protected, so you can enjoy the holidays with confidence and
peace of mind.
One of the biggest challenges this time of year is the surge in online shopping scams. Fraudsters
often create fake websites or ads offering unbelievable deals on popular items. These “too good
to be true” offers can lead to stolen payment information or products that never arrive. Shopping
with trusted retailers, double-checking website links, and avoiding unusual payment methods can
go a long way in keeping your holiday budget safe.
Package delivery scams are another common tactic during the holiday shopping season. Many
people eagerly track their online orders, and scammers take advantage of this excitement by
sending fake delivery notifications from the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, or Amazon. These
messages often include links designed to steal personal or financial information, and scammers
may even spoof phone numbers to make the alerts look legitimate. If you receive a suspicious
message, avoid clicking any links. Instead, visit the official website of the delivery service or
contact them directly to verify the status of your package. If you’ve already interacted with a
suspicious link, contact your financial institution immediately. And remember never share
financial or personal information with someone you don’t know and trust, no matter how urgent
the message seems.
Impostor scams are another threat that tends to spike during the holidays. In these schemes,
scammers pose as someone you know or trust—such as a government employee, law
enforcement officer, or even a representative from your credit union—to try to convince you to
send money or share account information. Some may threaten legal action, claim there has been
fraudulent activity, or fabricate other problems to pressure you into acting quickly. Scammers
may contact you via phone calls, text messages, emails, or even U.S. Mail, and they may use
stolen information to make themselves seem legitimate. Always remember caller ID and email
addresses can be faked, voices can be cloned, and images can be altered. If someone asks you to
transfer money, cryptocurrency, or valuable items to “protect” your account—or tells you not to
verify their story—it’s a scam. The safest approach is to contact the organization directly using
contact information you know is accurate, and never use the information provided by the
suspicious message.
Charity scams also tend to increase during the holiday season, as scammers know many people
are looking to give back. A charity scam occurs when a thief poses as a real charity or invents a
name that sounds legitimate to solicit donations. Scammers may follow up on donation pledges
you don’t remember making, use live streaming on social media or employ altered images or
AI-generated voices to appear convincing. Many requests ask for rapid online payment,
sometimes using cryptocurrency, so the scammer can access the funds quickly.
To protect yourself, always ask for detailed information about a charity, including an address and
phone number, and verify the organization through its official website or a trusted third-party
source. You can research organizations using resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch or the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Search to confirm
whether your donation is tax-deductible. Most states also require charities to register before
soliciting donations, and you can find your state charity regulator at nasconet.org. Be cautious if
anyone pressures you to donate, thanks you for a contribution you didn’t make, or guarantees
sweepstakes winnings in exchange for giving. Vague, sentimental appeals with no specifics on
how your donation will be used are another warning sign. When in doubt, consider donating to
another reputable charity—you’ll be supporting a worthy cause while keeping your finances safe.
If you see a red flag, report it to ![]()
ReportFraud.ftc.gov![]()
and to your state charity regulator,
including any details such as the organization’s name, phone number or the claims made by the
fundraiser.
While scammers are more active during the holiday season, staying informed is one of the best
ways to protect yourself. With awareness, careful verification and a healthy dose of skepticism
toward unexpected messages or urgent requests, you can safeguard your finances and enjoy your
celebrations with peace of mind. If you ever receive a suspicious message, call, or alert, don’t
hesitate to reach out to us at Dakotaland Federal Credit Union—we’re here to help you Shield
Your Savings and enjoy a safe, scam-free holiday season.
Wishing you a joyful and secure holiday!
