Tips For Giving Safely This Holiday Season.

Don't let scammers steal your joy this holiday season. 

Holidays are a time of generosity, donating to causes we care about and shopping for loved ones. But as giving increases, so do scams. Fraudsters use emotional appeals, urgency, and special “deals” to trick people into donating to fake charities, buying something you’ll never receive, or sharing sensitive information.

Here are a few tips to help you and your loved ones stay financially safe this holiday season. 

What are some common red flags?

• Misspelled charity names or numbers replacing letters (like “0” for “O”).
• Phishing emails or texts with links to fake sites.
• Sales and deals on social media that seem too good to be true.
• Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash.
• QR codes on flyers or packages that lead to phishing sites—known as “quishing.”

How can you stay safe from fraud this holiday season? 

• Verify charities through trusted sources like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, or IRS Tax-Exempt.
• Type URLs yourself—don’t click links or scan unsolicited QR codes.
• Use secure payment methods like credit cards.
• Look for HTTPS on donation pages and shopping sites. 

Emerging threats like AI-driven scams and deepfakes make vigilance more important than ever. If something feels off, report it to the FTC or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact us immediately. For more tips and resources, visit our Security & Fraud page.