The holiday season is a time for giving, celebrating, and connecting with loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak season for scammers looking to exploit your generosity, excitement, and goodwill. This month, Tzedek DC shines a light on several scams that can dampen your holiday spirit and offers tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Holiday Shopping Scams

From too-good-to-be-true deals to fake online stores, holiday shopping scams are everywhere. Before making your purchases, keep these tips in mind:

Research Before You Buy: Search online for the seller’s name alongside words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint” to test their legitimacy.

Read the Fine Print: Understand the seller’s refund policies, return shipping costs, and restocking fees.

Use Credit Cards: Credit cards provide extra protections and allow you to dispute charges if something goes wrong.

Avoid Unusual Payment Methods: Never ever pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps—these are red flags for scams.

Fake Delivery Notifications

With holiday deliveries on the rise, scammers send fake delivery messages to steal your personal information or install malware on your devices. Here’s how to stay safe:

Don’t Click on Links: If you receive a suspicious delivery notice, avoid clicking on any links and immediately delete the text or email.
Contact Shipping Companies Directly: Use trusted contact information on the shipping confirmation email to verify the delivery message.

Check Order Status: Visit the retailer’s website to track your order directly.

Charity Scams: Give with Confidence

The holidays are a season of giving, but scammers often use fake charities to steal donations. Before giving:

Research the Charity: Use trusted resources like Charity Navigator or Give.org to verify the organization.

Be Cautious with Payment Methods: Do not make any donations via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Resist Pressure: Legitimate charities won’t rush you into donating. Take time to research and verify their legitimacy.

Want to give wisely? Check out the FTC’s guide to avoiding charity scams.

The 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange Is a Scam

Every holiday season, the “Secret Sister” gift exchange resurfaces, promising up to 36 gifts in exchange for sending one. Whether it’s bottles of wine, $10 gifts, or even gifts for pets, this pyramid scheme is illegal and often leaves participants empty-handed.

How It Works:

You’re invited via social media or email to join an exchange.
You provide personal information like your mailing address or email.
You send a gift or money, expecting multiple gifts in return.

Why It’s a Scam:

Pyramid schemes collapse when recruitment slows, leaving participants without gifts or money.

Sharing personal information exposes you to identity theft and future scams.

Participating is illegal under U.S. laws.

Protect Yourself:

Ignore the invitation—don’t participate or share the post.

Report it to the social media platform or the U.S. Postal Inspection Services.

Never share your personal information with strangers online.

Artificial Christmas Tree Scams

Looking for the perfect pre-lit tree to brighten your holidays? Scammers are targeting shoppers searching for deals on artificial Christmas trees. BBB Scam Tracker (run by the Better Business Bureau) has received reports of online ads offering significant discounts on full-size, pre-lit trees. After ordering, shoppers never receive their tree and struggle to get refunds.

Before buying an artificial tree from an unfamiliar website:

Check the Company: Look for the BBB Seal to see if the business is BBB Accredited.

Verify the Website: Make sure you are using the company’s legitimate website.

Confirm Contact Information: Make sure the business has working phone numbers or email addresses.

Search BBB Scam Tracker: Check if others have reported similar scams.

Spread Holiday Cheer Without Fear

The holidays should be a time of joy and connection, not stress over scams. Protect yourself and your loved ones by staying vigilant, sharing these tips, and reporting suspicious activity.

Have questions or need assistance?

Tzedek DC is here to support you. Contact us today for free financial counseling and legal guidance. Together, we can ensure a safe and joyful holiday season for all. Submit a direct inquiry for our services here: Tzedek DC Legal and Financial Counseling Services Inquiry.

Visit tzedekdc.org or call us at (202) 274-7386 to learn more.

All of us at Tzedek DC wish you a safe, happy, and scam-free holiday season! 