Holiday Scams

Looking out for holiday deals online can alert con artists, that you are in the market for that much-needed vacation, and they won't hesitate to approach with best packages, prizes or offers that always turn out to be too good to be true. So, be on your guard every step of the way! Holiday scams may not only affect you in the above-said versions, but there are several forms of it.

Holiday scams are deceptive practices specifically designed to exploit individuals during festive seasons. Common scams include online shopping fraud, where fake websites offer enticing deals to collect payments without delivering goods. Phishing emails mimic legitimate organizations or retailers, tricking recipients into providing personal information or making fraudulent donations. Travel scams may involve misleading advertisements or fake accommodations, leading to financial losses. Gift card scams exploit their anonymity for illegitimate transactions. Charity scams prey on the holiday spirit, with fraudsters posing as fake organizations to solicit donations. Additionally, package theft increases during the holidays as thieves target delivered parcels left unattended. To avoid holiday scams, individuals should verify online retailers and charities, use secure payment methods, double-check travel arrangements, monitor bank statements, secure delivered packages, and remain cautious of unsolicited communications.

Beware of false tourism taglines designed to entice you to visit a destination in just a couple of sentences. Crooks will come up with attention-grabbing taglines, such as "big country", "discover a different world", "Eat, drink and be happy", "Ride the rails!" and much more, but make sure it's the real deal. Don't let the scammers ruin your hard-earned break.

• Demonstrates a poor grasp of spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation


• Uses a free online e-mail service


• Demands to pay unsecured wire transfer


• Unsolicited payment information in the initial inquiry


• No traveler phone number provided


• Trust your instinct, if it gives you an anxious feeling that something isn't right.

If you suspect you are being scammed, then you should report the crime without any second thought to the local authorities. If you have been victimized

• File a report at your local police station about the fraud or scam, have a copy of it, so you can show to your bank and credit reporting companies you've been scammed and try to do something about it.


• If you have paid money for the holiday using your credit card, then report the fraud to your card credit card Company and bank. Be on your guard always, seeing that fraudulent adverts do exist, if you suspect then do not book it!

Apart from having a copy of the police report, try to collect as much as evidence as possible related to the suspected fraud. Evidence such as letters/emails of solicitation, prospectuses, canceled checks, cash receipts, receipts for cashier's checks or money orders, bank statements, investment statements, or medical statements any, all these could help you get your money back or at least protect yourself from further unfair treatment.

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