FBI Warns—These Holiday Shopping Scams Could Ruin Your 2024 Season

The holiday season is that thing that inspires cheer, but it's also that thing that promises excellent opportunities to scammers. According to the warnings of the FBI issued for 2024, this year would demonstrate the rise of cases of fraud during the holidays because cybercriminals adjust their techniques according to growing online shopping into more and more sophisticated measures. E-commerce sales have touched $260 billion, a growth this year is expected. This number has never occurred and is such an opportunity for fraudsters.

Holiday Scams: Why 2024 Is A Challenging Year

The FBI has warned that in the online shopping season of record-breaking cybercrooks have been deploying high-tech tricks with AI-produced fake websites and almost impossibly lifelike phishing emails.

This even makes the most warily of consumers fall through the trap. Young buyers are even more susceptible for this age group between 18 and 39 accounted for a 25 percent increase in susceptibility as reported by the FTC of falling prey to the schemes of online shopping scams. These shoppers are usually targeted by advertisements on e-commerce websites and social media sites as unbeatable holiday deals.

The Real-World Impact Of Holiday Scams

The financial loss due to these scams is very huge. In 2023, fraudsters pocketed $10 billion from U.S. consumers, an increase of $1 billion from the previous year. Non-delivery scams took $73 million as loss as consumers paid for items that never arrived. Another popular scam was gift card fraud, which drained $148 million from victims. It's as emotional as it would affect their inner person, and the victims already begin to undergo stress, anxiety and perceived betrayal with the approaching holiday periods at which individuals are most prone, trusting their peers and with their acquired wealth.

Common Holiday Scams and How They Work

Here are the most prevalent holiday scams to watch for:

Non-Delivery Scams. A fraudster creates fake e-commerce websites or posts counterfeits on platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It tends to target high-demand products such as gaming consoles, smartphones, or designer goods. After making a payment, the victim will then wait for a shipment in vain.

Gift Card Scams: Thieves will pretend to be charities, retailers, or even acquaintances, asking victims to buy gift cards and hand over the card numbers and PINs. These thieves may pretend to be a charity soliciting donations or as a retailer who claims that only gift cards are taken to purchase an urgent offer.

Fake Charities Scams: The holiday season's spirit of giving is exploited by scam artists who create fake charities. They may use recognizable logos or Better Business Bureau to make donations using untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. According to AARP, 80% of U.S. consumers experienced holiday-related scams in 2023, and fake charity requests are common.

Phishing Emails and Fake Websites These are the most sophisticated. Scammers send emails claiming to be from legitimate retailers or delivery services, especially during the holiday season when most consumers are distracted. Often such emails contain fake links which lead to phishing websites to steal a user's personal information.

What the FBI Recommends

The FBI offers several recommendations to help consumers avoid falling victim to scams:

Verify Website URLs: Always check that websites begin with “https” and display a padlock icon in the address bar. This ensures the site is secure and that your data is protected.

Be cautious of "too good to be true" offers. Scammers use these kinds of unbelievable discounts on in-demand items to create a sense of urgency. Verify the legitimacy of any deal before making a purchase.

Use Secure Payment Methods The FBI further recommends using credit cards instead of a gift card or wire transfer as credit cards have fraud protection and, thus, let consumers have a chance to dispute unauthorized charges.

Confirm Charity Before Giving: Use something like Charity Navigator or the BBB to confirm if a charity is legitimate before giving your money. Phony charities make emotional appeals and plead for immediate contributions.

Track Shipping Process: Monitor shipments and obtain tracking numbers to ensure your order is being processed and shipped. If a tracking number is invalid or non-existent, it may be a scam.

What To Do If You’ve Been Caught In A Holiday Scam

If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and contact your bank or credit card provider to dispute charges. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit file to prevent further misuse of your personal information. The FTC also offers resources to help with reporting scams and recovering from identity theft.

The FBI’s warning serves as a reminder that protecting yourself from scams requires vigilance. With the combination of growing online shopping, increasingly sophisticated tactics, and holiday distractions, consumers must stay informed and cautious. By following the FBI’s advice—such as verifying suspicious offers, using secure payment methods, and staying aware of the risks—you can have a safer and more enjoyable holiday shopping experience in 2024.