Ah, the holiday season—the magical time of year when carts are full, wallets are open, and cybercriminals rub their hands like they just spotted a clearance sale. While online shopping makes gifting easier, it also opens the door to holiday e-commerce scams that are sneakier than ever.
Before you dive into that irresistible “75% OFF TODAY ONLY” deal, grab your digital magnifying glass. Here are the red flags online shopping pros know to watch for, plus some quick holiday fraud prevention tips to keep your money—and your holiday joy—intact.
- The “Too Good to Be True” Offer (Because It Probably Is)
If an online store is selling luxury watches, gaming consoles, or trending gadgets for the price of a sandwich, you’re not looking at a miracle—you’re looking at fake online stores. Counterfeit product websites love to use impossible discounts to lure shoppers.
Red Flag:
Unrealistically low prices + aggressive countdown timers = classic holiday shopping fraud red flags.
- The Fake Tracking Number Scam
Red Flag:
Tracking codes that never update, link to shady third-party sites, or show impossible locations (“Departed Mars Distribution Center”).
- Websites That Feel… Off
Sometimes, you land on a website and instantly get the “Nope” vibes. Maybe the logo looks pixelated, maybe the checkout page loads slower than a sloth, or maybe the spelling mistakes are louder than a holiday parade.
These subtle cues often point to fake online stores, especially those built quickly to trap seasonal shoppers.
Red Flag Checklist for How to Spot Fake Online Stores During Holidays:
- No HTTPS (a must-have!)
- No contact number or physical address
- Sketchy return/refund policies
- Recently registered domains
- Only accepts wire transfers or gift cards (run, don’t walk)
- Gift Card Scams Disguised as “Holiday Deals”
Gift cards are convenient, but scammers love them even more than last-minute shoppers do. Fake “exclusive gift card deals” or emails claiming you’re eligible for a reward card are often fronts for information theft or unauthorized purchases.
Red Flag:
Any online retailer pushing gift card payments exclusively—real stores don’t do that.
5. Counterfeit Products Hiding Behind Beautiful Photos
Some counterfeit product websites look polished and professional with studio-grade photos. But behind the scenes? They’re selling items that barely resemble the picture—think “expectation vs. reality” memes come to life.
Red Flag:
Suspiciously generic product descriptions, no customer reviews, or overly glowing reviews posted on the same day.
- Unexpected Emails Asking for “Order Confirmation”
Scammers send fake purchase alerts to get you to click without thinking. If you receive a mysterious “Your order is on the way!” email when you never placed one, don’t panic—just don’t click.
Red Flag:
Misspelled sender addresses or links that don’t match the retailer’s domain.
- No Sign of Security Policies
Legitimate e-commerce stores care about your privacy and security. Scammers… not so much. If a website doesn’t clearly share information on data protection, returns, and support, it’s usually a red flag.
Holiday Fraud Prevention Tips (So You Can Actually Enjoy the Season)
A little caution goes a long way. Here are simple ways to avoid online shopping scams during the festive rush:
- Stick to known retailers
- Verify URLs before clicking
- Avoid deals shared over SMS or messaging apps
- Use credit cards for better fraud protection
- Check for verified customer reviews
- Never pay with gift cards for online purchases
- Bookmark official websites instead of searching (search ads can be spoofed)
Final Thought
Cybercriminals love the holidays almost as much as shoppers do—but by staying alert to the signs an online retailer is a scam, you can outsmart even the most cleverly disguised holiday e-commerce scams. Keep your wallet safe, your shopping merry, and your cybersecurity game strong all season long.
If your business wants to train teams to spot scams faster than hackers can create them, investing in proper cyber awareness training can transform holiday chaos into confident, secure operations. Consult with our team and gain actionable insights tailored to your organization’s unique needs. If you haven’t by now, click the button below to schedule your 15-minute call.
