Fraud You Should be Aware of This Holiday Season

The holidays are meant for joy, giving, and connection—but for many people, they also bring financial stress. It’s budget season for many organizations, which can mean belt-tightening, “restructures,” and layoffs—buzzwords that often lead to holiday anxiety. When money is tight, it’s easy to overspend to keep traditions alive, and that’s when fraudsters often strike—using urgency, emotion, and distraction to exploit vulnerable moments. At Granite Credit Union, we understand this reality and are here to help. Our aim is to acknowledge the stress, teach you to spot scams early, and share practical, budget-friendly tips so you can protect your finances, stay on track, and focus on what truly matters: making memories with loved ones.

Understanding Holiday Fraud: Why It Peaks This Season

Fraudsters often take advantage of the holiday season's increased spending, travel, and distractions. They use these situations to carry out scams, thefts, and other fraudulent acts, making it crucial for individuals to stay alert and safeguard their personal information. By being cautious, verifying sources, and monitoring financial statements, people can better protect themselves from holiday-related fraud. Common tactics include:

Phishing Scams

  • What it is: Fake emails, texts, or DMs that appear to be from shipping companies, retailers, or charities. Their goal is to steal login credentials, card numbers, or personal information.

  •  Red flags: Misspelled domains, “urgent” delivery issues, unexpected attachments, requests to “verify” info, links that don’t match the sender’s domain.

  •  Protect yourself: Type the website address directly into your browser instead of clicking links. Verify tracking numbers on the official site or app. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

  •  If you are targeted, don’t click; report the message as phishing and delete it. If you have entered information, change your passwords and monitor your accounts.

Gift Card & Crypto Scams

  • What it is: Scammers ask for payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency because these are difficult to reverse or trace.

  •  Red flags: “Pay the fee/tax with a gift card,” “We only accept crypto,” instructions to read gift card numbers over the phone or upload wallet screenshots.

  •  Protect yourself: Legitimate companies and government agencies do not request gift cards or crypto. Refuse and end the conversation.

  •  If targeted, save receipts and messages, report the incident, and contact your financial institution immediately if money has been transferred.

  • Fake Online Stores

  • What it is: Look-alike websites or pop-up “shops” advertising hot items at unbelievable prices, then delivering counterfeits—or nothing at all.

  • Red flags: Prices far below market, no physical address or customer service number, only debit/crypto payments, stock photos, copied reviews.

  • Protect yourself: Check the domain age and company details, read independent reviews, and use credit cards (not debit) for stronger dispute rights.

  • If targeted: File a chargeback with your card issuer and report the site.

Package Theft (“Porch Pirates”)

  • What it is: Stolen deliveries from doorsteps, lobbies, or mailrooms.

  • Red flags: Packages left for hours, no delivery instructions, predictable delivery times.

  • Protect yourself: Use secure lockers or ship-to-store options, require signatures, set delivery windows, install a camera, or have packages delivered to work or a trusted neighbor.

  • If targeted: File a claim with the retailer or carrier and your local police if needed; share any video evidence.

  • Charity Fraud

  • What it is: Scammers impersonate genuine charities or create fake ones to take advantage of holiday giving.

  • Red flags: high-pressure tactics, vague mission statements, requests for gift cards or cryptocurrencies, absence of EIN or tax details, and websites that closely resemble reputable charities with minor name differences.

  • Protect yourself: Verify the charity on an independent review site, confirm the official name and website URL, and donate only through the charity’s official platform.

  • If targeted: Report the scam and notify your card issuer if you shared payment information.

Pig Butchering (Romance/Investment Scam)

  • What it is: A long con where a scammer builds trust—often via social media, dating apps, or a “wrong-number” text—and then pushes you to invest in a fake trading or crypto platform showing fabricated “profits.” Withdrawals are blocked with fake “fees,” or the money disappears.

  • Red flags: Fast intimacy, claims of insider investing knowledge, guaranteed returns, scripted screenshots of outsized gains, insistence on using “their” platform, and reluctance to video chat.

  • Protect yourself: Never move funds to platforms you didn’t independently research. Be skeptical of anyone urging you to keep the investment “secret.”

  • If targeted: Stop contact, take screenshots, and immediately notify your financial institution and law enforcement.

Money Mules

  • What it is: Criminals recruit people (sometimes unknowingly) to move stolen funds through personal accounts, wires, P2P apps, gift cards, or crypto. Acting as a mule is illegal and can result in account closures and criminal charges.

  • Red flags: “Job” offers to “process payments,” requests to use your account, promises of a cut for moving money, and urging you to cash out quickly.

  • Protect yourself: Do not accept or transfer funds for others. Verify employers and roles; legitimate companies don’t use your personal accounts for payments.

  • If targeted: Refuse and report the solicitation; notify your financial institution if you have already received funds.

Juice Jacking (Malicious Charging Ports/Cables)

  • What it is: Malware or data theft through compromised public USB ports or cables that exploit the USB data channel while you charge.

  • Red flags: Unknown or borrowed cables prompt people to “trust this computer/device” and public USB stations without a power-only option.

  • Protect yourself: Use your own wall charger, outlet, portable battery, or USB data-blocking adapter. Set your phone to “charge only” when possible.

  • If targeted: Run a security scan, change important passwords, and monitor your accounts.

By staying alert and knowing what to look out for, you can prevent fraud before it occurs.

How Granite Credit Union Has Your Back

Granite Credit Union is always here to make your holiday season safer and more manageable. We offer:

Your peace of mind is our top priority. When you bank with Granite Credit Union, you gain financial tools and partner with a team committed to your security and success.

Check out our blog article Tips to Avoid Fraud This Holiday Season to learn more.

Enjoy the Holidays with Confidence

With preparation, awareness, and the right financial tools, you can protect your wallet and enjoy all the magic of the holidays. Let Granite Credit Union guide you to safer spending and stress-free celebrations this season.

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