With Christmas just days away, Americans rushing to finish their holiday shopping — both online and in stores — are also facing a sharp rise in scams designed to steal money and personal information.
Every year, thousands of Americans fall victim to holiday scams that steal both money and personal information. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), non-delivery and non-payment scams cost Americans more than $785 million in 2024, while credit card fraud accounted for another $199 million in losses.
The FBI reports that complaints surge in the early months of each year, indicating many victims are targeted during the holiday shopping season.
Common holiday scams include non-delivery schemes, auction fraud involving misrepresented or counterfeit items, and gift card scams in which fraudsters demand prepaid cards and disappear with the funds.
In 2025, authorities warn that scammers are increasingly using AI-driven tactics to scale and personalize fraud attempts.
Evolving Threats This Holiday Season
Delivery-related scams have also evolved in recent years, according to federal authorities. Data from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Communications Commission warn of a new twist: texts claiming packages are “on hold,” “stuck in customs,” or delayed pending unpaid fees — a tactic exploiting consumer confusion following new de minimis tariff rules that took effect in August 2025 for imported goods under $800.
“These scams succeed because people often open text messages quickly, with open rates reaching up to 98%, which can prompt them to act without thinking,” Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN told The Dallas Express.
NordVPN reported an 86% increase in fake postal service websites during the holiday season, with USPS impersonations surging dramatically. DHL was the most impersonated shipping brand globally, according to the firm.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has also warned of a growing problem involving counterfeit postage, often sold at steep discounts through social media and third-party marketplaces.
How to Protect Yourself
Authorities say vigilance remains the best defense.
- Verify every website starts with “https” and research new sellers.
- Never click links in unsolicited texts or emails claiming delivery issues.
- Avoid paying with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Use credit cards for online purchases — they offer stronger fraud protection.
- Request tracking numbers and signature confirmation for valuable packages.
- Forward suspicious USPS-related texts to 7726 or emails to [email protected].
- Never provide personal or financial information to unverified AI chatbots.
Experts Weigh In, AI Scams Are On The Rise:
Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN
“Scammers are evolving at an unprecedented pace, using AI not just to automate attacks but to make them deeply convincing. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, consumers must remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phishing schemes targeting delivery services.”
Rick Van Luvender, SVP of Information Security at Fiserv
“AI-generated deepfakes are now the most common threat observed by banks, with deepfakes targeting customers and employees increasing by 243% over the past year. While new digital tools like mobile banking and AI-powered chatbots make life easier, they also create fertile ground for cyberattacks. Simultaneously, the scope of social engineering is growing, with phishing campaigns that look like legitimate corporate emails with a spoof link or lookalike websites… Countering these evolving cyber threats requires a flexible, intelligence-driven defense.”
Jason Truppi, Co-founder at ForceMetrics
“Online scams are growing because they’ve become easier, faster, and more convincing. Scammers now use automation and AI to reach more people with fewer resources, especially during the holidays when urgency and emotion are high. The holidays are peak season for scams because people are busy, distracted, and more likely to act quickly. If a message creates urgency, asks for payment through gift cards or crypto, or pressures you to act immediately, that’s a major red flag. Scams aren’t just a consumer problem anymore, they’re a public safety issue. Organized fraud networks operate at scale, and technology has made it easier for them to target victims across jurisdictions.”
What To Do If You Have Been Targeted By A Holiday Scam
Victims or suspected targets should report incidents immediately to ic3.gov, their bank or credit card provider, and local law enforcement.
Postal-related scams, counterfeit postage, or mail theft should be reported through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report.
