The holidays should be merry, but scammers see them as a gold mine. With AI-cloned voices, fake travel deals, bogus social media ads, and sneaky delivery tricks, fraud is hitting record highs and shoppers are stressed, rushed, and vulnerable.
Here’s what to watch for:
AI “Loved One” Calls
Scammers use AI to mimic your child or grandchild asking for money or a “quick gift purchase.”
Tip: Don’t trust the voice; hang up and call them directly.
Fake Travel Sites
Bogus airline websites and scammy travel agents are stealing credit card info and demanding extra fees. Tip: Book your holiday travel (and any travel) on trusted sites and always pay with a credit card.
QR Code Delivery Scams
Random packages you didn’t order may contain QR codes designed to install malware.
Tip: Never scan codes from unsolicited packages.
Social Media Deals That Aren’t Real
From $6 hoodies to fake NFL tickets, scammers flood TikTok and Instagram with too-good-to-be-true “deals.” Tip: Research the seller and avoid paying with Zelle. It’s just like sending cash.
Panic Tactics
“Your bill is overdue!” “Your card was declined!” “This deal ends now!”
Scammers create urgency so you won’t think. Tip: Slow down and verify the source.
Holiday Safety Checklist
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Pause before acting — urgency is a red flag
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Double-check any unexpected call or text
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Don’t click strange links or scan random QR codes
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Stick to reputable websites and payment methods
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Sign up for bank alerts
Stay alert, stay skeptical, and enjoy the season without giving scammers a gift they don’t deserve. Read more about holiday scams and how to avoid them here.
Have questions about how these insights and ideas could impact your personalized wealth management strategy? Let’s talk.
This communication is for information and educational purposes only. This is not a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product or strategy or to be perceived as individual advice. Information presented has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and does not represent all available data necessary for making investment decisions. Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect a series of assumptions and judgments as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts do not consider the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of an individual. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. The opinion expressed by this individual is based on facts and circumstances known at this time, is subject to change and does not reflect the opinions of all financial professionals of XML.
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