Christmas is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year. It is a time when retailers generate the highest profits and consumers increasingly choose online shopping to avoid crowds. 

This is also when cybercriminals carry out the largest number of scams of the year. 

That’s why today we explain the most common Christmas scams and how to prevent them.

AI-driven delivery phishing (SMS and WhatsApp)
This is the most widespread type of fraud worldwide. AI is used to generate messages that impersonate delivery companies such as UPS, FedEx, DPD, or Royal Mail. The included link leads to cloned websites that steal credentials or request fraudulent payments.

• Fake delivery notifications have doubled compared to last year.
• Messages use language that closely resembles legitimate services.

Fake online stores with autonomous chatbots
Cybercriminals create fake Christmas-themed online stores offering supposed “mega discounts.” Many of them include AI-powered chatbots capable of answering questions and building trust.

• The number of fraudulent domains has increased since Black Friday and continues to grow in December.
• Some websites include functional shopping carts, confirmation emails, and fake order-tracking systems.

Giveaway and promotion scams on social media

Fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok advertise Christmas giveaways or exclusive gifts. To receive them, users are asked to pay a small “shipping fee.”

• Most fraudulent accounts are less than 90 days old.
• Well-known brand profiles are impersonated to appear legitimate.

How to detect signs of fraud?

• Suspicious URLs or spelling errors.
• Unusual payment requests, such as gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or bank transfers.
• Lack of real customer support: no phone number, no physical address, only a generic email.
• Recently created social media profiles.
• Messages designed to create urgency, such as “your package is on hold” or “you’ve won a Christmas prize.”
• Impersonation of major brands using fake sender names.
• Mismatches between the sender’s name and email address, one of the most common fraud indicators.
Malicious campaigns spread via SMS, email, social media, and even search engine advertising. This year, the following stand out:
• AI-generated emails that accurately replicate the style of well-known brands.
• Fake stores created in a matter of minutes, with chatbots and simulated checkout processes.
• Phone calls using synthetic voices, increasing emotional manipulation.
• Automated campaigns capable of distributing thousands of fraudulent pages, messages, and ads at scale.

Recommendations to prevent Christmas scams

• Always access official websites directly, without using unsolicited links.
• Be cautious with urgent messages, unexpected giveaways, or unknown callers.
• Do not share personal or financial information unless the user has initiated the contact.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true—if it looks too good to be real, it probably is.