Scammers Get Crafty During the Holidays—Here’s How to Help Protect Yourself

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I feel like this is a safe enough space to admit that I can be quite… gullible. Especially when it comes to getting a good deal. The internet is full of bait and hooks, especially during the holiday shopping season, and before my morning coffee, I can be a worms-for-brains fish that is way too easy to catch. While it’s easy to assume scams mainly target older generations who are less tech-savvy (no shade, Mom), the truth is that Millennials and Gen Z are just as susceptible to becoming victims of fraud. If I get a text from “USPS” saying my “package is on the way” and to “click the link to track it”, I probably will—whether I should or not!

To understand how scammers are getting smarter and how we can help protect ourselves, we got the inside scoop from Brigitte M. Killings, Head of Community Banking–South Division at Chase Bank, who has over 30 years of experience helping people stay financially safe and secure. She shared how scams have evolved, what red flags to look for, and the simple steps that can help protect your money and your identity during the busy holiday season—because no one has time to sit on the phone with customer support for an hour during Q4.

Scammers are getting smarter—and younger generations are falling for them

According to Killings, scammers ramp up their efforts around the holidays, taking advantage of the spike in online shopping and deliveries. “During the holiday season, scammers exploit the surge in shopping and gifting,” she explains. “The most common scams include gift card scams, delivery scams, and fake online shopping sites that look almost identical to real ones.” Here are a few examples to keep on your radar:

• Gift card scams: Scammers sell expired or tampered cards on third-party sites—or send fake “free gift card” emails that are really just phishing attempts.
• Delivery scams: Fraudsters pose as carriers like UPS or FedEx, sending fake “missed delivery” messages with links that install malware or demand payment.
• Shopping scams: Counterfeit sites or sellers lure you in with steep discounts and then disappear once you’ve paid.

And as I mentioned, it’s not just our parents getting duped. “Younger adults are extremely tech-savvy, but that confidence can create blind spots,” Brigitte says. “Scammers count on that trust—especially through social media ads or DMs.” As much as we’d like to think our digital fluency makes us immune, the truth is, it can actually make us more vulnerable. The takeaway? Awareness and verification beat confidence every time.

The sneaky power of impersonation

Scammers have gotten, like, freakishly good at pretending to be people or organizations we trust. “Impersonation is one of the easiest ways scammers earn your trust—they’re counting on you to act fast before you stop and think,” Killings warns. This could look like:

• A fake text from your bank asking to “verify suspicious activity.”
• A “missed delivery” message from what looks like UPS or USPS.
• A DM from someone posing as a friend asking for gift cards or money.

When in doubt, slow down and take an extra second to think. Always verify before clicking. Go directly to a company’s website instead of responding to a text or email, and never share personal details via DMs or messages. A few extra seconds of double-checking can save you a major headache with customer support later.

Small steps that make a big difference

Here’s the good news: Protecting yourself doesn’t require a total digital overhaul. Just a few small, smart habits can go a very long way. Killings shared five steps everyone should take before the holidays hit full swing:

1. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA)

“Two-factor authentication is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop scammers from accessing your accounts,” Killings explains. You can enable it on both mobile and desktop through your banking app and email accounts.

2. Monitor your credit and identity

Even if you’re not a Chase customer, you can sign up for Chase Credit Journey® for free identity and credit monitoring. “Identity monitoring gives you peace of mind,” says Killings. “You’ll get notified if your data shows up where it shouldn’t—like in a data breach or on the dark web.”

3. Turn on account alerts

Timely notifications can help you spot unusual activity fast. “These alerts can help you catch unauthorized transactions quickly,” Killings adds.

4. Use passkeys and password managers

When it comes to passwords, Killings recommends “thinking in passphrases—short, memorable strings of words that are harder to crack than typical passwords.” Tons of web tools or even built-in browser managers can help you create and store strong, unique logins safely.

5. Review your accounts regularly

Set a weekly reminder to scroll through your banking app or credit statements. A light scan can help you spot (and stop) fraud early.

Smart shopping habits for the holidays

Between limited-time offers, “shop now” gift guides, and “exclusive” discounts sliding into your DMs, scammers are experts at preying on urgency. “If you’re being rushed to decide, that’s your red flag,” Killings says. “Scammers thrive on urgency—pause, verify, and don’t click until you’re sure.” Here’s Killings’ quick shopping safety checklist for your next late-night scrolling spree:

• Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Shop directly from official websites—type URLs manually instead of clicking ads.
• Don’t trust Caller ID; numbers can be spoofed.
• Never click on unknown links or attachments.
• Use debit or credit cards for online purchases—they often include purchase protection.

The key is to slow down, trust your gut, and remember: no real retailer is going to pressure you to act now or lose out forever.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you realize you’ve fallen victim to a scam, don’t panic—just be sure to act fast. “The most important step is to act quickly,” Killings emphasizes. “The faster you report, the better your chances of limiting damage and recovering funds.” Here’s what to do:

1. Contact your bank immediately using the phone number on the back of your card (not a text or email).
2. Stop all communication with the scammer and document everything (screenshots, messages, receipts, etc.)
3. Report the scam to law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
4. Change your passwords on any accounts that might’ve been compromised.
5. Tell your friends or followers—sharing your experience can help others spot the same red flags.

And of course, Chase offers tools like account alerts, 2FA, and Chase Credit Journey® to help you monitor your accounts and respond quickly if something suspicious happens.

Staying safe is easier than you think

If all this sounds overwhelming, take a breath. “You don’t have to overhaul your life to stay safe—just take a few small precautions that add up over time,” Killings says. That’s what I love about Chase’s approach: it’s not about fear, but rather just being prepared and educated. By enabling a few extra security features and staying alert when shopping online, you can feel confident that your finances (and holiday whimsy) are protected.

So before you hit “add to cart,” take a minute to set up two-factor authentication, enroll in Chase Credit Journey®, and turn on account alerts through the Chase Mobile® app. Because the best gift you can give yourself this season is peace of mind (and a few legit finds from our holiday gift guides, obviously). Happy (safe) shopping!

This post is sponsored by Chase Bank, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

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