Holiday Scams Are Back: How to Protect Yourself From Fake Emails, Bogus Tracking Updates & Gift Card Fraud
Stay One Step Ahead of Cybercriminals This Holiday Season
As the holiday season ramps up, so do the scammers. Each year, cybercriminals take advantage of busy shoppers, overwhelmed inboxes, and the surge in online orders. At Computers Unlimited, we see a spike in fraud cases every December — and most victims had no idea they were targeted until after the damage was done.
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In this blog, we break down the most common holiday scams, how to identify them, and what you can do right now to protect yourself and your devices.
π 1. Fake Email Alerts: “Your Package Is Delayed”
Scammers know you’re waiting on deliveries. They send emails appearing to be from USPS, UPS, Amazon, or FedEx — but the links lead to malware or phishing websites.
Red flags to look for:
- Misspelled sender addresses
- Urgent messages demanding immediate action
- Unexpected attachments
- Links that don’t match the company’s official website
What to do:
β Never click tracking links in emails — go directly to the retailer’s website
β Delete suspicious messages immediately
β Turn on multi-factor authentication for all major accounts
π¦ 2. Bogus Tracking Updates Sent by Text Message
“Your package cannot be delivered. Update your address.”
Sound familiar?
These SMS scams are exploding in popularity because people check texts faster than email.
How scammers trick you:
- They use official-looking delivery logos
- They send messages at night when you’re tired
- They mimic real notification formatting
Protect yourself by:
β Blocking unknown senders
β Never entering personal info from a link in a text
β Reporting the number as spam
π 3. Gift Card Fraud: ‘A Deal Too Good To Be True’
Gift cards are one of the most common holiday scams because they’re untraceable.
Three gift card scams to watch for:
- Fake online gift card stores
- Scammers posing as friends or coworkers asking for cards
- Tampered cards in-store (numbers stolen before purchase)
Stay safe by:
β Only buying gift cards directly from official retailers
β Never sharing card numbers over email or text
β Avoiding “discounted” cards sold online
π Protect Yourself With Smart Cyber Habits
You can avoid 90% of holiday scams by following these simple steps:
- Keep your antivirus and firewall updated
- Use strong, unique passwords across all accounts
- Back up important data regularly
- Enable device protection on computers and smartphones
- Call Computers Unlimited if you spot suspicious activity
Cybercriminals count on you being distracted this time of year. With a few smart precautions, you can enjoy the holidays worry-free.
π Need Help? Computers Unlimited Has Your Back
Whether you’ve clicked a suspicious link or want to upgrade your security before the holidays, our team is here to help.
Protect your tech. Protect your family. Enjoy a safer holiday season.
