Holiday Scams

Mail Theft

It’s common knowledge that it’s unwise to send cash through the mail, but during the holidays, we often overlook the risk. Greeting cards with cash tucked inside are an easy target for mail theft. Mail theft is on the rise, and handwritten addresses on colorful envelopes stand out among the junk mail and bills sent through the postal service. Thieves have developed unique tools for fishing handfuls of mail out of the outdoor blue postal service mailboxes, and there have been reported cases where mail thieves have obtained universal keys to unlock them. There’s also the simple and classic method of stealing mail directly from your home mailbox. Checks sent through the mail aren’t immune either. Thieves can alter checks to increase the dollar amount and change the check’s payee. 

Best Practice

When possible, send an e-gift card from a trusted online retailer or take your mail inside the post office instead of using an outdoor blue postal service mailbox or leaving your mail outside your home for the postal service employee to pick up.

Counterfeit Goods Scams

The holidays are a time of increased online shopping, and you can be sure scammers will be ready, advertising incredible deals via social media and email to entice you to choose the scammers’ site instead of a reputable, known retailer’s site. In a 2025 global survey from Mastercard and the Harris Poll, 48% of consumers said they were likely to ignore security warnings if an item was deeply discounted. Scammers count on that temptation. Their websites look genuine and may even feature brand names in the address of the web page to appear more legitimate. Even if you or the gift recipient receive the purchase, it may be a cheap forgery instead of the name brand you intended to purchase.

Best Practice

Only buy from reputable sites you trust. Avoid purchases linked from social media sites or from unsolicited emails. If you’re suspicious, do an internet search for the site’s name plus the word “scam” to see if others have provided positive or negative comments/reviews. And remember the rule: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Shipment Notification/Tariff Scams

Holiday shopping leads to an increase in package deliveries. In AARP’s 2025 holiday scams survey, 55% of respondents reported receiving a shipment notification that turned out to be fraudulent, up from 29% in 2022. Scammers take advantage of the holiday rush by sending fraudulent text messages and emails alerting you to delayed packages. They exploit your urgency to receive a package in time for the holidays and prompt you to provide personal information to ensure on-time delivery. The scammers might even tell you that a package is being held at customs due to unpaid tariffs.

Best Practice

Never respond to unsolicited text messages or emails about package deliveries. Visit the online retailer directly by typing their web address directly into your internet browser instead of using a link in a text or email message. From the retailer’s website, you can safely check the status of your package delivery.

Reservation Hijacking Scams

Traveling for the holidays? Scammers may use stolen details from your real hotel reservation to send convincing emails, texts or messages through a booking app. According to Norton, scammers can even gain access to hotel systems and send messages through legitimate booking channels. The message may include your hotel name and travel dates, warning that your reservation will be canceled unless you verify your credit card or make an immediate payment. The link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your payment information. Even if the message includes your reservation details, it doesn’t guarantee that the sender is legitimate.

Best Practice

Don’t use links in unexpected messages to verify your reservation or provide payment information, even if the message arrives through a trusted booking app. Call the hotel using the phone number on its official website to confirm any payment request. Don’t let a threat of cancellation rush you into providing your payment information to a scammer.

Charity Scams

During the holiday season, we’re often solicited by nonprofit organizations and charities in hopes that our giving spirit elicits a generous donation before the end of the year. In AARP’s 2025 holiday scams survey, 35% of respondents said they had received a donation request in the past year that seemed fraudulent. Phony charity requests are prevalent this time of year and will often pick names that sound like reputable organizations.

Best Practice: Before you hand over your credit card information, verify the non-profit organization/charity by checking websites like Charity Watch or Guidestar.

If you believe scammers may have gained access to your MidFirst Bank account, call 888.MIDFIRST (888.643.3477) and we’ll help ensure your account is safe and secure. Be vigilant and have a happy holiday season!