‘Tis the Season for Scammers: National Consumers League Unveils the Top 10 Holiday Shopping Scams of 2025

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From fake deals to phony deliveries, consumers urged to stay alert as holiday fraud surges  

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC — As holiday shopping kicks into high gear, the National Consumers League (NCL) is warning Americans to beware of the wave of scams designed to cash in on the season of giving. “Scammers know the holidays are the perfect storm—consumers are busy and spending more online looking for deals,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Telecommunications and Fraud Policy. “They count on you being distracted. Before you click that link or grab that ‘flash deal,’ take a breath and verify it’s real. A few extra seconds of skepticism can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.”  

Whether it’s counterfeit products on social media, bogus “too good to be true” deals, or texts about fake delivery problems, scammers are working overtime to take your hard-earned dollars.  

To help shoppers protect themselves, NCL has identified 10 Holiday Shopping Scams to watch out for and offers advice to navigate tricky situations.   

Top 10 Holiday Shopping Scams to watch     

  • Fake “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Deals – Deep discounts on luxury brands or electronics that never arrive.  
  • Counterfeit Products on Marketplaces – Fraudsters posing as legitimate sellers with knockoff goods.  
  • Gift Card Grifts – Used or drained cards, or scammers demanding payment via gift card.  
  • Phishing Emails and Texts – Fake order confirmations and delivery alerts that steal personal info.  
  • Charity Scams – Imposters preying on goodwill with fake donation appeals.  
  • Package Delivery Scams – Texts claiming “delivery issues” that link to phony tracking sites.  
  • Subscription Traps – “Free trials” that quietly charge recurring fees.  
  • Social Media Shopping Scams – Fraudulent ads or influencer posts for non-existent stores.  
  • Travel Deal Cons – Bogus vacation rentals or airfare “specials” that disappear after payment.  
  • Buy Now, Pay Later Pitfalls – Fake financing offers or hidden fee traps.  

NCL’s Tips to Stay Scam-Free This Season:  

  • Stick to trusted retailers and check URLs before purchasing.  
  • Don’t click on links in unsolicited texts or emails—go directly to the retailer’s site.  
  • Pay by credit card for better fraud protection.  
  • Verify charities through trusted databases before donating. 

For more tips or to report suspected scams, visit Fraud.org.  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.