FBI Warns of Holiday Online Shopping Scams

Porch pirating may get all the attention, but there are many other holiday scams to be aware of this season. Photo by Mike RhodesPorch pirating may get all the attention, but there are many holiday scams to be aware of this season. Photo by Mike Rhodes

November 30, 2022

By Chris Bavender, Public Affairs, FBI Indianapolis—

Indianapolis, IN—Residents across Indiana are joining the rest of the country in shopping online this holiday season in big numbers. But Hoosiers aren’t the only one’s trying to steal a deal – so are scammers. With more people shopping online this year, consumers may encounter more online scams.

“The holiday season not only means consumers are looking for the best deals for their holiday gift giving, but scammers are also looking for ways to swindle unsuspecting shoppers,” according to the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “Shoppers should be vigilant so they don’t fall victim to scams that can result in having their money and personal information stolen. Do your homework and check out the websites you are shopping and the deals being offered – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

What are some common scams?

Online Shopping Scams:

    • Scammers often offer too-good-to-be-true deals via phishing emails or advertisements. Such schemes may offer brand-name merchandise at extremely low prices or gift cards as an incentive. Other sites may offer products at a great price, but the products being sold are not the same as the products advertised.
    • Consumers should steer clear of untrustworthy sites or ads offering items at unrealistic discounts or with special coupons. The victims end up paying for an item, give away personal information and credit card details, then receive nothing in return except a compromised or stolen identity.
    • Read more at www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2020/PSA200803.

Social Media Shopping Scams:

  • Consumers should beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards. Some may appear as holiday promotions or contests. Others may appear to be from known friends who have shared the link. Often, these scams lead consumers to participate in an online survey that is designed to steal personal information.
  • If you click an ad through a social media platform, do your due diligence to check the legitimacy of the website before providing credit card or personal information.

Gift Card Scams:

  • During the holiday season, consumers should be careful if someone asks them to purchase gift cards for them. In these scams, the victims receive either a spoofed email, a spoofed phone call, or a spoofed text from a “person in authority” requesting the victim purchase multiple gift cards for either personal or business reasons.
  • Read more at www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2018/PSA181024.

Charity Scams:

  • Scammers set up false charities and profit from individuals who believe they are making donations to legitimate charitable organizations which is common after disasters. Charity fraud also rises during the holiday season, when individuals seek to make end-of-year tax deductible gifts or are reminded of those less fortunate and wish to contribute to a good cause. Seasonal charity scams can pose greater difficulties in monitoring because of their widespread reach, limited duration and, when done over the Internet, minimal oversight.
  • Charity scam solicitations may come through cold calls, email campaigns, crowdfunding platforms, or fake social media accounts and websites. They are designed to make it easy for victims to give money and feel like they’re making a difference. Perpetrators may divert some or all the funds for their personal use, and those most in need will never see the donations.
  • Read more at www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2020/PSA200320.

Reshipping Scams

  • These scams involve fraudsters who use stolen credit cards to buy items—usually expensive items—online. Instead of having the items shipped to the billing address, the fraudster sends them to what’s called a “reshipper.” At the “reshipper” location, the items are repackaged and usually sent overseas. There they can often be sold at a high price on the black market.
  • Fraudsters will convince unwitting individuals to be money mules and accept the deliveries and become the “reshipper.” That person has now become part of their criminal enterprise without knowing it. Don’t be a money mule!

Tips to Avoid Being Victimized

  • Do your homework on the retailer/website/person to ensure legitimacy.
  • Check out the online retailer on the Better Business Bureau’s website (www.bbb.org).
  • Check other websites regarding the company for reviews and complaints.
  • Check the contact details of the website on the “Contact Us” page, specifically the address, email, and phone number, to confirm whether the retailer is legitimate.
  • Be wary of online retailers offering goods at significantly discounted prices.
  • Be wary of online retailers who use a free email service instead of a company email address.
  • Beware of purchases or services that require payment with a gift card.
  • Beware of providing credit card information when requested through unsolicited emails.
  • Do not click on links within an unsolicited email or respond to them.
  • Check credit card statements routinely. If possible, set up credit card transaction auto alerts, or check balance after every online purchase.
  • Be cautious of emails claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
  • Verify requests for personal information from any business or financial institution by contacting them using the main contact information on their official website.
  • Secure credit card accounts, even rewards accounts, with strong passwords. Change passwords and check accounts routinely.
  • Make charitable contributions directly, rather than through an intermediary, and pay via credit card or check. Avoid cash donations if possible.
  • Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to reputable charities; most legitimate charity websites use .org, not .com.

What to Do if You Are a Victim

  • Report the activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov, regardless of dollar loss. Provide all relevant information in the complaint.
  • Contact your financial institution immediately upon discovering any fraudulent or suspicious activity and direct them to stop or reverse the transactions.
  • Ask your financial institution to contact the corresponding financial institution where the fraudulent or suspicious transfer was sent.

For additional information and consumer alerts, and to report scams to the FBI, visit www.IC3.gov.