A man shopping online on his laptop for christmas.
Learn five easy ways to avoid scams and stay cyber safe while holiday shopping, with expert tips to protect your accounts, devices, and personal info.
The holiday season brings great deals, busy schedules, and… a spike in online scams.
Cybercriminals know shoppers are rushing, distracted, and eager to grab limited-time offers. That makes November and December the perfect time for them to launch phishing campaigns, set up fake websites, and impersonate delivery companies. The good news? With a few simple habits, you can dramatically reduce your risk of playing victim this holiday season.
Below are five practical, easy-to-follow ways to protect yourself, including expert tips from Matt Chmel, head of Cyber, North America at Aon.
Scammers count on consumers making fast, emotional decisions — especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“Pause before you purchase. Fraudsters rely on the fear of missing out (FOMO). If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” Chmel said.
Beyond evaluating the deal itself, make sure the site you’re on is legitimate:
Slowing down and doing a quick check can prevent you from falling for fake stores designed to steal your payment information.
Holiday-themed phishing is one of the most common and effective scams. You might receive emails or texts pretending to be from UPS, FedEx, USPS, Amazon, or a retailer — claiming a package couldn’t be delivered, or a payment is required.
Chmel warns: “Watch out for fake delivery texts. Fraudsters send realistic messages pretending to be couriers. Always check directly with the retailer or delivery service provider before clicking any links.”
Other signs of phishing include:
When in doubt, navigate to the retailer or delivery provider’s official website and check your order there instead of clicking links from an email or text message.
Password reuse is one of the biggest risks for holiday shoppers. If one shopping site is breached, attackers can try that same password on your email, banking apps, or social media.
To protect yourself:
As Chmel emphasizes: “Turn on multi-factor authentication — this adds an extra layer of protection and creates another barrier that prevents hackers from gaining access to your accounts.”
Just this one simple step can significantly reduce your risk.
Cybercriminals love using social media ads — especially during the holidays — to push counterfeit products, fake endorsements, or scam storefronts. Their goal is to pressure you into buying fast before you notice warning signs.
Chmel suggests: “Avoid impulse buys from ads — especially on social media, where scammers use fake endorsements to rush you into action.”
Along with avoiding risky ads, protect your payment information by:
If an ad catches your eye, search for the retailer manually instead of clicking the ad link.
Even if you follow all the right shopping habits, an insecure device or network can put you at risk.
Stay protected by:
Cybercriminals often target outdated or unprotected devices, so staying up to date is one of the simplest ways to stay safe, especially for your mobile devices.
Holiday shopping should be fun — not stressful. While scams ramp up this time of year, you can stay safe by slowing down, checking websites carefully, securing your accounts, being cautious about ads and messages, and keeping your devices protected.
By combining these simple habits, you’ll be better equipped to spot sketchy offers, avoid falling for scams, and enjoy a smooth, secure shopping season.
In account security, the best password managers for teams in 2025 help businesses generate unique logins, share credentials safely, and cut the risk of credential-stuffing attacks.
Ken Underhill is an award-winning cybersecurity professional, bestselling author, and seasoned IT professional. He holds a graduate degree in cybersecurity and information assurance from Western Governors University and brings years of hands-on experience to the field.
