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The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity, and celebration, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for scammers. With more shopping, more deliveries, and more digital activity, fraud attempts naturally increase throughout this time of year.

At Citizens Bank & Trust, we want to help ensure your Christmas stays merry and secure. Here are the most common seasonal scams to watch for, and the proactive steps you can take to protect your money, your identity, and your peace of mind.

1. Watch Out for Holiday Shopping Scams

Scammers know that many people are shopping online and looking for bargains. Fake ads, fraudulent websites, and counterfeit products surge this time of year.
If a deal looks too good to be true…it usually is.

How to stay safe:

• Shop only on websites you recognize.

• Look for HTTPS (the padlock icon) in your browser bar.

• Avoid clicking on links in ads or unsolicited emails.

• Never save your card info on unfamiliar sites.

2. Beware of Fake Package Delivery Notifications

This is one of the most common holiday scams. Fraudsters send texts or emails claiming your package couldn’t be delivered, then ask you to click a link or enter personal info.

How to stay safe:

• Do not click unexpected tracking links.

• Go directly to UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon’s official site to check deliveries.

• Report suspicious texts and delete them immediately.

3. Gift Card Scams: A Major Red Flag

No legitimate business, agency, or organization will ever demand gift cards as payment or ask you to read the numbers over the phone.

If someone pressures you to buy gift cards, it’s a scam.

4. Charity Scams Increase During the Holidays

Scammers create fake charities or copy the names of real ones.

Protect yourself by:

• Donating through official websites.

• Researching unfamiliar organizations.

• Being cautious of high-pressure tactics.

5. Check Your Account Daily...Yes, Daily

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to detect fraud early.

Fraudsters often test an account with a small transaction first. If you catch it early, you can stop additional unauthorized activity before it escalates.

Make it a habit:

Take 30 seconds each morning or evening to glance at your account activity in the mobile app in your online banking account.

6. Set Up Text + Push Alerts (We love this feature in our app!)

This is one of your strongest tools for catching fraud immediately.

Turn on alerts for:

• Large withdrawals

• Card transactions

• Geographical areas

• Low balance notifications (to catch suspicious activity quickly)

Why alerts matter:

You’ll know about unauthorized activity the moment it happens, not days or weeks later when reviewing a statement.

7. Strengthen Your Digital Security

A few quick steps go a long way in preventing holiday fraud.

Best practices:

• Use strong, unique passwords for online banking and shopping accounts.

• Enable multi-factor authentication where available.

• Avoid banking on public Wi-Fi (airports, hotels, coffee shops).

• Keep your smartphone operating system and apps updated.

• Log out of your online banking session when you’re finished.

8. Be Skeptical of “Urgent” Messages or Requests

Fraudsters use urgency to make you act quickly and skip critical thinking.

Common phrases scammers use:

• “Your account is locked, click here.”

• “You must act immediately.”

• “Your package cannot be delivered.”

• “Your loved one is in danger.”

When in doubt: stop and validate. Contact the company directly using a verified phone number, not the one in the message.

9. Check in on Older Relatives

Holiday fraud heavily targets seniors. A quick conversation could protect someone you love.

Encourage them to never:

• Share account numbers

• Give remote computer access

• Send money to someone they’ve never met

• Act on pressure-filled calls or texts

10. Trust Your Instincts, and Remember: It’s Okay to Pause

Your gut is often your best early warning system. If something feels off, it probably is.

A few seconds of caution can prevent a costly mistake.

Keep Your Christmas Cheer (and Your Cash) This Season

We know the holidays are busy, but staying aware, setting up alerts, and checking your account daily can make all the difference in protecting yourself from fraud.

If you ever notice suspicious activity or have questions about potential scams, contact your bank right away. 

Have yourself a merry little fraud-free Christmas!