As holiday shopping and charitable giving ramp up, it’s more important than ever to remember how to avoid holiday scams, especially as fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated each year. Both individuals and small business owners in St. Peters and throughout St. Charles County face an increased risk during the festive season, when high transaction volumes and tight schedules can create opportunities for scammers.
The holidays should be a time of celebration, not financial stress. That’s why we’ve created this practical guide to help you avoid holiday scams by understanding the tactics criminals use and the steps you can take to protect your money, your accounts, and your peace of mind.
Why Holiday Scams Surge This Time of Year
Fraud attempts increase dramatically from November through January. Criminals know that:
- Shoppers are in a hurry and may not double-check email senders or payment requests.
- Online purchases spike, making tracking and delivery scams easier to disguise.
- Small businesses, especially in retail and service sectors, handle more digital payments than usual.
- Charitable giving rises, creating opportunities for fake nonprofit solicitations.
For St. Peters and St. Charles County residents and business owners, staying alert is the first step toward staying secure.
- Beware of Fake Shipping and Delivery Notices
One of the most common holiday scams involves fake delivery notifications. Cybercriminals send emails or text messages pretending to be from major carriers and claim:
- A package cannot be delivered
- Additional shipping fees are required
- Delivery information needs to be confirmed
These messages typically include malicious links designed to capture credit card numbers or login credentials.
To avoid holiday scams, remember:
Never click a link in a shipping message unless you are 100% sure it’s legitimate. Go directly to the carrier’s website and enter your tracking number manually.
Small businesses, especially those fulfilling high order volumes, should train team members to verify all shipping-related communications before acting on them.
- Watch Out for Fraudulent Gift Card Schemes
Gift cards are popular for personal use and corporate gifting, which is why scammers favor them. Common schemes include:
- Requests for payment via gift card (always a red flag)
- Fake websites selling discounted gift cards
- Scammers tampering with gift cards on store racks
To avoid holiday scams, always purchase gift cards from reputable sources and treat requests for gift card payments as immediate warning signs.
- Guard Against Fake Charities and Donation Scams
The season of giving should never be exploited, but unfortunately, it often is. Fraudsters create convincing charity names, emotional stories, and donation portals to fool generous individuals and business owners.
Before making a donation:
- Research the organization
- Avoid pressure tactics
- Verify the website’s legitimacy
- Confirm the charity’s registration status
This step alone can help you avoid holiday scams by ensuring your contributions go to trusted organizations in St. Peters or beyond.
- Protect Your Accounts from Phishing and Spoofing Attacks
Holiday phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking:
- Banks
- Online retailers
- Utility companies
- Government agencies
Scammers create emails and websites that look nearly identical to the real ones. Their goal is to collect your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security information.
To avoid holiday scams, follow these best practices:
- Verify sender addresses carefully
- Avoid clicking unexpected links
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Update software and security settings regularly
If something seems off, it probably is.
- Business-Specific Scams to Watch For
Small businesses must also be aware of holiday-season business scams, including:
Invoice and Vendor Fraud – Scammers impersonate legitimate suppliers and send altered invoices that redirect payments to fraudulent accounts.
Payroll Diversion Schemes – Fraudsters pose as employees and request updates to direct-deposit details.
Fake Order Requests – Common in retail, hospitality, and service industries, these scams involve fraudulent large orders paid with stolen cards.
To avoid holiday scams, businesses should:
- Confirm all financial changes verbally
- Use secure payment systems
- Implement internal controls for approval processes
- Train staff to recognize suspicious communications
- How Your Bank can Help Protect You During the Holidays
A trusted banking partner plays a major role in fraud prevention. At 1st Advantage Bank, we help both individuals and small businesses in St. Peters and St. Charles County safeguard their accounts through:
- Real-time account monitoring
- Secure digital banking tools
- ACH and payment security controls for businesses
- Fraud education and personalized guidance
- Alerts for unusual account activity
Working closely with your bank is one of the most reliable ways to avoid holiday scams and strengthen your overall financial security.
Stay Secure, and Let Us Help You Protect What Matters Most
If you want expert advice to help you avoid holiday scams, our team at 1st Advantage Bank is here to support you. Contact us today to review your account security, explore fraud-prevention tools, or speak with a knowledgeable banking professional. Together, we’ll help ensure your holiday season remains joyful and financially safe. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender