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 thieves. Handwritten addresses on colorful envelopes stand out among the junk mail and bills sent through the postal service, and mail theft is on the rise. Thieves have developed unique tools for fishing handfuls of mail out of the blue postal service mailboxes, and they have even gotten their hands on universal keys to unlock them. There’s also the simple and classic method of stealing directly from your home mailbox. Checks sent through the mail aren’t immune either. Thieves can easily wash the check to increase the dollar amount and change the payee.

Best Practices

Send an e-gift card from a trusted online retailer or deliver your mail directly to the post office instead of using a public blue postal service mailbox or leaving your mail out 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. The scammers’ websites look genuine and may even feature brand names in the address of the web page for legitimacy. Even if you or the gift recipient receive the purchase, it may be a cheap knockoff 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 unsolicited emails. If you’re suspicious, do a Google search for the site’s name plus the word “scam” and review the results. 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. Scammers take advantage of this surge in activity 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. They 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 deliveries. Visit the online retailer directly by typing their web address directly into your browser instead of using a link in a message. From there, you can safely check the status of your shipment.

Vacation Rental Scams

Who wouldn’t like to spend the frosty winter months on a white sandy beach? Did you know that scammers are posting beautiful rental properties online that don’t actually exist? Scammers will try to redirect you from the vacation rental apps to communicate with them directly, often offering a discounted rate. By redirecting you from the vacation rental apps, it reduces traceability and eliminates consumer protections provided by the vacation rental apps.

Best Practice

Conduct all interactions and rental bookings within the trusted website or rental app. Never communicate or book outside the website or app.

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. A 2024 AARP survey found that 60% of charitable donors don’t always research an organization before donating. Phony charities are prevalent this time of year and will often pick names that sound like reputable organizations. For example, the phony charity may call themselves Salvation Armies to trick you into believing that you’re donating to the legitimate Salvation Army.

Best Practice

Before you hand over your credit card information, verify the nonprofit organization or charity by checking websites like Charity Watch or Candid (formerly 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!