Stay Safe This Season: How to Spot and Avoid Holiday Scams

The holidays bring out the best in people—but unfortunately, they can also bring out the worst in scammers. Every year, fraudsters take advantage of the season’s goodwill and busy schedules to trick shoppers, steal personal information, and gain access to accounts. From fake delivery notices to emotional donation pleas, the tactics change, but the goal never does: to catch you off guard.

At Nuvision Credit Union, protecting our members is one of our top priorities. That’s why our team tracks emerging scams year-round and shares real-world tips to help you stay alert and secure. Here’s a look at some of the scams making the rounds this holiday season—and how you can avoid becoming a target.

1. The “Can I Borrow Your Phone?” Scam—Now with a Holiday Twist

This scam has been making headlines all year, but it ramps up during the holidays. Scammers know people are more generous and distracted this time of year, and they use that goodwill against you. They might approach you in a parking lot or near a store, claiming they’ve lost a child, can’t find their spouse, or need to make an urgent call to a relative. It feels natural to help—but once they have your unlocked phone, they can drain your accounts in seconds.

While pretending to make a quick call, scammers can open mobile banking or payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, transfer funds, or even take out instant loans in your name. Victims often don’t realize they’ve been scammed until hours later, when their balance is gone.

To protect yourself this season:

Don’t hand over your phone. Offer to make the call for them instead.

Keep your device locked with Face ID, fingerprint, or a PIN.

Log out of financial apps when you’re done using them.

Turn on transaction alerts in your Nuvision app so you can spot unusual activity quickly.

You can read more about this scam in our detailed blog post: The “Can I Borrow Your Phone?” Scam Hitting Credit Union Members.

2. Fake Delivery Notifications

With so many packages moving around this time of year, fake delivery texts and emails are one of the most common scams. They might look like they’re from USPS, UPS, or FedEx, claiming your package can’t be delivered until you “update your address” or “confirm payment.”

Never click those links. Real carriers don’t ask for payment information or personal details over text or email. Instead, visit the carrier’s official website or app directly if you’re unsure.

3. Social Media Shopping Scams

It’s easy to get lured in by a “limited-time holiday deal” or social media ad promising huge discounts—but many of these are fakes. Scammers set up entire storefronts that vanish once they’ve collected your payment details. Others use real brand names but change the URL slightly to trick you.

Stay safe by checking web addresses closely—look for “https” and avoid websites with typos or extra words. When in doubt, search for the retailer yourself instead of clicking links in ads or messages. And remember: if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Gift Card Scams

Gift cards make great presents—but they’re also one of scammers’ favorite tools. Some steal numbers directly from display racks and drain the cards before they’re used. Others call pretending to be a company or charity and demand payment through gift cards.

Buy cards directly from the store’s customer service counter or website instead of public racks, and never share card numbers or PINs over the phone. No legitimate organization will ever ask you to make a payment this way.

5. Phony Charities and Fake Donation Appeals

Scammers know people are in a giving mood around the holidays, which makes this one especially common. You might see emotional posts or receive messages from “charities” you’ve never heard of, asking for urgent donations.

Before you give, verify the organization through trusted resources like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Always donate directly through official websites—never through social media links, gift cards, or wire transfers.

6. Fraudulent E-Cards and “Holiday” Messages

Digital greeting cards are fun, but they’re also an easy way for scammers to slip in malicious links. Some fake e-cards contain viruses, spyware, or inappropriate content. If you receive a card from an unknown sender—or one that looks suspicious—don’t click. Check directly with the friend or family member before opening anything unfamiliar.

7. Newer Threats: Deepfakes and Imposter Scams

Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to mimic real people, even loved ones. You might get a video call or voicemail from someone who looks or sounds familiar, asking for help or money. Always verify requests before acting—hang up and call the person directly using a known number.

For more on new scam tactics and what Nuvision is doing behind the scenes to protect members, visit our Fraud Protection Blog.

Protecting Yourself with Nuvision’s Fraud Prevention Tools

At Nuvision, your security is our top priority. We’ve invested heavily in new digital tools and resources to help keep your information safe:

Account Alerts: Get notified instantly about unusual transactions.

Card Controls: Lock or unlock your cards anytime through digital banking.

Device Authentication: Verify and approve logins with real-time push notifications.

Fraud Education: Learn about scams and prevention strategies on our Fraud Protection Blog.

We also offer deep dives into specific scam types and member stories, so you can stay informed and avoid falling victim.

Fraud is evolving fast—deepfakes, imposter scams, and social engineering are now part of everyday life. That’s why we recently hosted the Nuvision Insights: Fraud Awareness and Protection Webinar, featuring CEO Roger Ballard, Fraud Expert Amy Marsalek, and VP of Digital Michael Hayden. They discussed today’s top scams, what we’re doing behind the scenes to protect members, and simple steps you can take to stay safe. You can watch the full event and access free fraud prevention resources here.