The scammers favourite season is back: how to spot Christmas scams and stay safe
The festive season is here – lights are twinkling, carols are playing, and scammers? Well, they’re working harder than Santa on Christmas Eve. While we’re busy spreading positive festive cheer around financial wellbeing, the fraudsters are spreading fake deals, phishing links, and sob stories to lure you in.
Scams are becoming harder and harder to spot – but knowing what to look for can save you thousands. Read on to discover the red flags even savvy shoppers miss, and how to protect yourself this holiday season.
Why December is peak season for scammers
The festive period creates the perfect storm for fraudsters. Between shopping, parties, and family plans, we’re juggling more than usual and our guard naturally drops. But there’s more to it than simple distraction:
We’re spending at unprecedented levels. Australians typically spend over $50 billion during the Christmas shopping period, with online purchases making up an increasingly large share. This massive flow of transactions makes it easier for fraudulent ones to slip through unnoticed.
Our emotional state changes. The combination of festive excitement, end-of-year stress, and social pressure to find perfect gifts makes us more impulsive and less analytical when making decisions.
Time pressure works against us. “Only 2 left in stock!” and “Last chance for Christmas delivery!” aren’t just marketing tactics – they’re psychological triggers that scammers exploit ruthlessly.
We’re in giving mode. The spirit of generosity that makes this season special also makes us more vulnerable to fake charity appeals and emotional manipulation.
Common holiday scams to watch out for
1. Fake online stores
If the deal looks like Santa’s giving away iPhones for $10… it’s probably a scam.
What you might not know: Many fake stores look incredibly professional, complete with customer reviews, secure-looking checkout pages, and even customer service chat functions. Scammers often clone legitimate websites, changing just one letter in the URL.
✅ Check URLs twice – look for subtle misspellings
✅ Search for reviews outside the website itself
✅ Look for secure payment (https://) but know that’s not enough on its own
✅ Use a credit card rather than debit for better fraud protection
2. Delivery scams
“Your parcel is stuck at the North Pole! Click here to pay.” Nope.
What you might not know: These scams have evolved beyond simple text messages. Scammers now send emails with tracking numbers that look legitimate, create fake “missed delivery” cards that get placed in your letterbox, and even spoof phone numbers to appear as though they’re calling from Australia Post or other carriers.
✅ Real delivery companies don’t ask for credit card details via SMS
✅ Log into the retailer’s website directly to check your order status
✅ Be suspicious of unexpected delivery fees – most are included at checkout
✅ Never download apps from SMS links
3. Gift card scams
Your boss does NOT need $500 in gift cards for “secret Santa.”
What you might not know: Gift cards are the scammer’s currency of choice because they’re untraceable and can be quickly converted to cash. These scams have become more sophisticated – fraudsters now hack email accounts and impersonate colleagues, send fake invoices requesting gift card payment, or pose as tech support claiming your computer has issues that can only be fixed with gift card payment.
✅ Never buy gift cards for someone who emails or texts you out of the blue
✅ Call the person using a known number (not one provided in the message) to verify
✅ Remember: legitimate businesses and government agencies never request gift card payments
4. Charity scams
Real charities don’t send unsolicited texts saying “Reply YES to donate $50 immediately!”
What you might not know: Scammers create elaborate fake charity websites complete with heartwarming stories, professional branding, and even fake ABN numbers. Some impersonate real charities by using similar names or copying their branding. The festive season sees a spike in disaster-related charity scams, exploiting recent fires and other emergencies.
✅ Verify charities through the ACNC Charity Register before donating
✅ Be wary of high-pressure tactics or emotional manipulation
✅ Donate directly through official websites, not links in emails or texts
✅ Check if the charity is tax-deductible – legitimate ones usually are
5. Phishing emails and social media ads
“Exclusive Christmas deal” links that look legit but steal your info.
What you might not know: Modern phishing attempts use sophisticated techniques like email spoofing (making emails appear to come from legitimate companies) and social engineering (using information from your social media to make scams more convincing). Scammers monitor what’s trending and create fake ads for sold-out toys, popular gifts, or exclusive experiences that don’t exist.
✅ Don’t click suspicious links – type the website address yourself
✅ Check the sender’s email address carefully (not just the display name)
✅ Look for poor grammar or urgency in the message
✅ Be especially cautious with sponsored posts on social media
6. Romance scams
They promise mistletoe magic, then ask for money for “holiday emergencies” or travel.
What you might not know: Romance scammers are patient and strategic, often spending weeks or months building trust before asking for money. They target people of all ages and genders, frequently claiming to be overseas workers, military personnel, or doctors. The holiday season provides perfect cover stories – they need help with travel costs to visit you, money for their children’s Christmas gifts after a “divorce,” or emergency funds for a sudden crisis.
✅ If your festive fling needs cash for gifts or flights, it’s not love – it’s a scam wrapped in tinsel
✅ Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person
✅ Be suspicious if they avoid video calls or meeting face-to-face
✅ Reverse image search their profile photos – scammers often steal pictures
Lesser-known scams gaining traction
Social media marketplace scams
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree see increased activity during Christmas, and scammers take advantage. They list popular items at bargain prices, ask for deposits before collection, or send fake payment confirmations.
Protection tip: Always meet in public places for transactions, never send money before seeing the item, and use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Ticket and event scams
From Christmas parties to New Year’s Eve celebrations, scammers create fake ticketing websites or sell non-existent tickets to events. The tickets often look legitimate until you arrive at the venue.
Protection tip: Only purchase tickets from official vendors or verified resellers. If buying secondhand, use platforms with buyer protection.
Accommodation scams
Planning a summer holiday? Fake holiday rental listings surge during this period, complete with professional photos (stolen from legitimate listings) and glowing reviews.
Protection tip: Book through reputable platforms, verify the property exists through Google Street View, and be wary of landlords who can’t video call or want payment via unusual methods.
How to stay scam-safe this Christmas
Pause before you click. If it feels rushed or unreal, it probably is. Legitimate businesses won’t pressure you into immediate action.
Check twice, pay once. Verify websites, charities, and delivery notices. Take 60 seconds to search “[company name] scam” before proceeding.
Enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts and can prevent access even if scammers obtain your password.
Monitor your bank statements. Check your accounts regularly during the busy shopping season. Report suspicious transactions immediately.
Talk it out. If something feels off, ask a friend or family member before sending money. Scammers rely on you acting in isolation.
Update your devices. Ensure your phone, computer, and apps have the latest security updates installed.
Report it. Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) is your go-to for reporting fraud. Check with WAScamNet for known suspicious emails, phone calls, texts, social media messages, or letters.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you realise you’ve fallen victim to a scam, act immediately:
- Contact your bank to stop payments or freeze your accounts
- Report to Scamwatch and your local police
- Change passwords for any compromised accounts
- Document everything – keep screenshots, emails, and transaction records
- Seek support – being scammed is distressing, and you’re not alone
The bottom line
Scammers are working overtime during the holiday season. Over $259 million was lost to scams in Australia in the first nine months of 2025, with shopping scams alone costing $8.6 million. But here’s something that might surprise you: the average person encounters between 7-10 scam attempts during the December shopping period alone – you’re likely dodging them without even realising it.
Understanding how scammers think gives you the upper hand. They’re counting on you being too busy, too trusting, or too embarrassed to ask questions. This Christmas, let’s flip the script. Take your time, verify everything, and remember: if a deal seems too magical to be true, Santa probably isn’t behind it.
Let’s make this season about giving joy, not giving away your bank details. Stay festive, stay smart, and keep your Christmas merry.
Need support? The Financial Wellbeing Collective offers financial coaching and financial counselling to support people with financial difficulties and build more confident relationships with money. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by financial stress or have been a victim of a scam, we’re here to help.
