Christmas shopping scams are smarter than ever: Here’s how to stay safe

One wrong move this Christmas, and your bank account could be emptied. With each passing day, scammers are becoming more advanced. Fake messages and look-alike websites are no longer their only tools. As users grow more aware of common scams, fraudsters continue to evolve, finding new and smarter ways to trap unsuspecting shoppers.

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Your Christmas sale experience should be relaxing and joyful, not stressful. Whether it’s an old trick or a new scam, the tips mentioned below will help you stay safe during the Christmas shopping season.

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Common types of fraud during Christmas sales

Before we move on to tips that will help you stay safe this Christmas shopping season, let’s first take a moment to look at some of the most common Christmas scams shoppers should be aware of.

1. Scam delivery messages

One of the most common scams during the Christmas season is fake delivery messages. These are usually sent via SMS or WhatsApp and claim that your parcel is delayed or could not be delivered. To resolve the issue, you are asked to click on a link. Once clicked, the link redirects you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials or payment details.

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2. Social media scams in the form of fake giveaways

Scammers are quick to take advantage of the boom in social media activity during Christmas. They often run fake giveaway campaigns or contact users through forms and messages, claiming they have won a prize. To receive it, victims are asked to pay a small shipping fee. Most of these scam accounts copy brand logos and images to appear legitimate.

3. Phoney shopping websites

Another common trick that’s generally used by the scammers involves creating fake shopping websites that closely resemble popular online stores. These sites display heavy discounts and product images and sometimes even send order confirmation emails. However, after payment, the product never arrives, and customer support is either unreachable or nonexistent.

4. Unrealistic discount offers

Deals that advertise new smartphones, gaming consoles, or branded products at extremely low prices should always raise suspicion. If a price seems far lower than what trusted platforms are offering, it is usually a strong sign of a scam.

Also read: Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus price drops by over Rs 9,000 on Flipkart

5. Phishing emails and advertisements

Phishing is one of the oldest tricks in a scammer’s playbook. Victims receive emails or messages containing links to tempting Christmas offers that are hard to resist. Clicking these links may install malicious software on your device or redirect you to a fake website that asks you to log in or enter payment details.

Tips to be safe during this Christmas shopping season

Now that you’re well aware of the common scams, here’s how you can be protected from them:

1. Do not click on unidentified links: If you are sent a notice regarding a delivery or a festive offer that you do not recall subscribing to in the first place, do not click on the link without a second thought. Instead of clicking on the link, attempt to open the official application of the respective brand to check your order status.

2. Check the website details carefully: Before you make an online purchase, take a moment to look at the website URL carefully. Be wary of websites with slight typos or very different domains. Websites with proper contact information, support contact info, and a return or refund policy are likely reputable online shopping websites.

3. Do not jump into deals: scammers hurry people into making decisions quickly. When faced with an ‘offer that is too limited’ or ‘limited in time’, exercise caution. One should compare the prices on reputable websites before making any sort of payment quickly.

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4. Be cautious on social media: Not all giveaway posts are genuine. Be cautious about participating in prizes that come from accounts that are not familiar to you. Reliable brands always ask for nothing in return in order to award their prizes to winners.

5. Pay with protected ways: Use protected wallets or cards that provide buyer protection while shopping online, as these banks typically have an internal system that looks out for spam. Do not submit your card or bank account information on suspicious sites that have poor designs.

6. Trust your intuitions: If a deal sounds fishy, then it probably is. Things that seem undervalued relative to the price, especially high-end products, are probably a scam.

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Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile