The “Ber” months in the Philippines are unlike anywhere else in the world. From the first notes of Jose Mari Chan in September to the vibrant lanterns of December, the season is defined by pagbibigayan (giving).
With the arrival of the 13th-month pay, many Filipinos are eager to shop, give gifts, and share with loved ones. However, this festive atmosphere also creates a perfect storm for cyber criminals to exploit. At HousingInteractive, we believe that security isn’t just about finding a safe home; it’s about protecting the life you build inside it. Scammers don’t just target systems; they target people. They weaponize the three things the holidays provide in abundance: Rush, Emotion, and Distraction.
To keep your Christmas merry and your bank accounts intact, here is an in-depth guide to the 12 scams of Christmas that you must avoid this holiday season.
Why Scammers Love Christmas: The “Three Pillars of Deception”
Scammers capitalize on three key psychological triggers during the holidays:
- Rush: The urgency to buy gifts and complete tasks quickly makes people less cautious.
- Emotion: Generosity, fear, and excitement can cloud judgment.
- Distraction: Busy schedules and holiday stress reduce vigilance.
These factors let cyber criminals sneak past your defenses, fooling even careful shoppers. Knowing how these tricks work helps you stay safe. When you’re rushing, it’s easy to miss warning signs or forget to check things properly. Emotional messages, like stories about charities or family emergencies, are meant to lower your guard and make you act quickly. Being busy and distracted during the holidays means you might not notice small signs that something is wrong.
By understanding how scammers use these tricks, you can stop and think before responding to anything suspicious. Always take a moment to breathe, check who sent the message, and ask trusted friends or family if you’re unsure. Remember, scammers count on you being rushed, emotional, and distracted to succeed. Staying aware is your best defense.
The HousingInteractive Connection: Security Beyond Real Estate
At HousingInteractive, we believe that security principles apply beyond just real estate transactions. Every day life, especially during the holidays, demands the same vigilance to protect your money, information, and peace of mind.
Verify Before You Trust
The golden rule this season is simple but powerful: Always verify before you trust. Whether it’s an unexpected delivery notice, a charity appeal, or a job offer, take a moment to confirm the legitimacy before acting.
The “Dirty Dozen”: 12 Scams of Christmas
This section breaks down the 12 most common scams during the holiday season, grouped by category for clarity.
12 Christmas Scams You Must Avoid This Holiday Season
The E-Commerce & Logistics Trap
1. The Fake Delivery Notice
During the holiday season, one of the most common scams involves fake delivery notices sent via SMS or email, a tactic known as smishing. Scammers send messages claiming that a parcel could not be delivered, often urging recipients to click a link to update their address or pay a delivery fee. These messages are designed to look authentic, sometimes even mimicking well-known postal services or retailers. However, clicking on these links can lead you to phishing websites that aim to steal your sensitive personal information or financial details. In some cases, the links may also trigger the installation of malware on your device, putting your data and security at risk. To protect yourself, always verify the status of your deliveries directly on the retailer’s or postal service’s official website. Avoid clicking on unexpected links in messages, no matter how urgent they seem.
2. The Disappearing Online Seller
Another prevalent scam during holiday shopping online involves fake sellers, particularly on social media platforms. These fraudulent shops often advertise popular holiday gifts at unbelievably low prices to lure buyers quickly. Once payment is made, the seller vanishes, blocking the buyer and leaving them without the product or any way to recover their money. These online shopping scams prey on the rush and excitement of holiday shopping, exploiting consumers eager to find great deals. Additionally, gift card scams are widespread during this season, where scammers may ask you to purchase gift cards and share the codes, which they then use or resell. To protect yourself, it is crucial to thoroughly research any seller before making a purchase. Always check reviews from other customers, verify contact details, and ensure that the payment methods are secure and traceable. Shopping through reputable platforms that offer buyer protection policies can also help minimize the risk of being scammed.
3. Cash-on-Delivery (COD) Scams
Cash-on-delivery scams are a deceptive tactic where scammers send parcels that the recipient did not order, hoping that someone in the household will pay for them upon delivery. This scam takes advantage of the holiday generosity and the busy nature of the season, when people may not scrutinize unexpected deliveries closely. The unsuspecting recipient ends up paying for goods they never wanted or ordered, often with no way to recover their money. To guard against this, it is important to confirm all orders with household members and be cautious when receiving unexpected packages. If a delivery arrives that you did not authorize, contact the delivery company immediately and avoid making any payments until the situation is clarified.
Financial & Banking Fraud
4. ATM Assistance Traps
One common scam during the holiday season involves strangers offering unsolicited help at ATMs. These individuals may approach you with seemingly friendly intentions, offering assistance with your transaction. However, their true goal is to distract you while they either skim your card information or swap your card with a fake one. This deceptive tactic enables cybercriminals to steal your card details without your knowledge. To protect yourself, it is best to use ATMs located in well-lit, secure areas such as bank branches or busy public places. Always be cautious of anyone offering help you did not ask for, and shield your PIN entry to prevent others from seeing it.
5. Fake Loan Sharks (Quick Cash Schemes)
During the holidays, financial pressures often drive many to seek quick loans, a situation that scammers readily exploit through fraudulent loan offers. These criminals promise fast cash without credit checks or complicated paperwork, frequently advertising via texts or social media. For example, you might receive a message stating, “Get ₱10,000 today with no credit check,” but they require an upfront processing fee before releasing any funds. Unfortunately, once the fee is paid, the loan never comes through, leaving victims out of pocket. To protect yourself from falling prey to such online scams, never agree to loans demanding upfront fees and always verify the legitimacy of lenders through official channels like the Department of Trade and Industry. Genuine lenders provide transparent terms and will not pressure you for immediate payments.
6. The “Unauthorized Access” Alert
Scammers also use fear tactics by sending fake emails or making phone calls claiming that your bank account has been compromised. These messages often urge recipients to change passwords immediately or provide login credentials via a link or phone number provided. The goal is to trick you into revealing sensitive information that can be used to access your accounts illegally. It is important to remember that banks and financial institutions will never ask for your passwords, PINs, or one-time passwords (OTPs) through email or phone. If you receive such a message, do not click any links or provide any information. Instead, contact your bank directly using official contact details to verify the status of your account and report the suspicious communication.
Emotional & Social Engineering
7. The Fake Donation/Charity Scam
During the holiday season, scammers exploit people’s generosity by posing as legitimate charities through convincing emails or social media posts that use familiar names and emotional stories to solicit donations. Their goal is to steal payment information or personal details for fraudulent use. To avoid falling victim, always donate through verified organizations and research charities on official or trusted websites. Be cautious of unsolicited requests, especially those pressuring you to act quickly or demanding unusual payment methods, as legitimate charities never rush donors or request payments in unconventional ways.
8. Holiday Romance Scams
During the holiday season, scammers exploit people’s desire for companionship through holiday romance scams, where they create fake online profiles to build trust and affection before fabricating emergencies that require money. Victims are emotionally and financially harmed when these scammers never follow through on promises to meet. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly ask for money, verify identities, avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers, and seek advice from trusted friends or family if you suspect a scam.
9. Pet Scams: The Holiday Heartbreaker
Another emotionally charged scam during the Christmas season involves pet scams. Scammers advertise adorable pets, often puppies or kittens, at irresistible prices online or through social media. They tug at your heartstrings, promising to deliver the perfect holiday companion. However, once payment is made, the pet never arrives, leaving victims heartbroken and out of money. These scams often use stolen photos and fake testimonials to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, always check reviews of breeders or sellers, meet the pet in person before paying, and avoid sellers who refuse in-person meetings or inspections.
10. The “Relative in Trouble” Call
One distressing holiday scam involves impersonators claiming a family member, often an overseas Filipino worker, is in urgent trouble, such as being detained or hospitalized abroad, and demanding immediate payment to resolve the situation. These calls exploit fear and panic, pressuring victims to send money without verifying the facts. To avoid falling victim, always confirm such claims with other family members or directly contact the relative before sending any money. Staying cautious and verifying information can prevent significant financial loss and emotional distress during the holiday season.
“Too Good to Be True” Offers
11. Fake Raffles and Giveaways
Fake raffles and giveaways are a widespread scam during the holiday season, taking advantage of the excitement and hope of winning a prize. Scammers often send notifications via email or social media, claiming you have won valuable items such as gadgets, gift cards, or holiday trips. To claim these so-called “winnings,” they may demand a “processing fee” or request your personal and financial information. These fees are simply a ploy to steal your money, and the promised prizes never arrive. Legitimate contests and giveaways never ask winners to pay upfront fees. Similarly, gift card scams are prevalent during the holidays, where fraudsters pressure victims into buying gift cards and sharing the codes, which they then use or resell. To protect yourself, always be cautious of unsolicited notifications claiming you have won something, especially if they ask for payment or sensitive data. Delete suspicious messages and verify any contest or gift card request through official channels before responding.
12. Bogus Travel & Vacation Deals
The holiday season is a popular time for travel, and scammers take advantage of this by promoting fake travel deals and vacation rentals. These scams often feature websites or social media ads advertising luxury villas, heavily discounted flights, or holiday packages at prices that seem too good to be true. After you pay, the scammers vanish, leaving you without the accommodation or trip you paid for. These fraudulent listings can appear professional, complete with photos and glowing reviews, but they are entirely fabricated. To protect yourself from falling victim to bogus travel deals, always book through reputable and trusted platforms. Thoroughly research the company or host, check genuine customer reviews, and ensure that payment methods are secure and offer fraud protection. Be cautious if a deal feels suspicious or pressures you to pay quickly, and never share your personal or financial information without verifying the legitimacy of the offer.
Bonus Tips: The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Scams
In recent years, scammers have increasingly used artificial intelligence and advanced technology to create more convincing scams. From deepfake videos to AI-generated emails and fake e-cards that can install malware on your device, cyber criminals are leveraging cutting-edge tools to trick victims. These sophisticated scams can mimic voices, faces, and writing styles, making it harder to detect fraud. Staying informed about these technological threats and following security tips, such as not clicking suspicious links, regularly updating software, and using multi-factor authentication, can help protect you from these evolving scams.
The Psychology of the Scammer
Understanding how scammers manipulate victims can help you stay alert and avoid falling prey to their schemes. Scammers are experts at exploiting human psychology, especially during the holiday season when emotions run high, and people are often rushed or distracted.
The “Urgency” Tactic
Scammers create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions without thinking. This tactic reduces your chance to critically analyze the situation or verify the information.
Common examples include messages like “Limited time offer,” “Your account will be closed,” or “Pay now to avoid penalties.” These phrases are designed to trigger panic or fear, prompting immediate action.
By rushing you, scammers hope to bypass your natural skepticism and critical thinking, increasing the likelihood that you’ll comply with their demands.
The “Emotional” Tactic
Scammers skillfully exploit emotions such as fear, pity, excitement, or generosity to cloud your judgment and bypass logical thinking.
Examples include fake charity appeals that tug at your heartstrings or urgent calls from “relatives” claiming they are in trouble and need immediate financial help.
These emotional appeals are particularly effective during the holiday season, a time when people are more inclined to give, help others, or respond to family emergencies.
The “Distraction” Factor
The holiday season is filled with distractions — busy schedules, multitasking, and the stress of shopping and social events. Scammers count on these distractions to reduce your vigilance.
When your attention is divided, you are more likely to overlook warning signs or skip important verification steps.
This combination of rush, emotion, and distraction creates the perfect storm that scammers exploit to increase their success rate.
Why We Fall for It
During the holidays, emotions run high, and distractions abound, making it easier for scammers to manipulate victims.
The blend of urgency and emotional stories is designed to lower your defenses, making you more susceptible to scams.
Being aware of these psychological tactics is the first step in protecting yourself. When you recognize these triggers, you can pause, take a breath, and apply critical thinking before responding to any suspicious communication.
Remember, scammers rely on your haste, emotions, and divided attention to succeed. Staying alert and skeptical is your best defense against falling victim to holiday scams.
The HousingInteractive Protection Checklist
Before clicking “send” or “pay,” use this quick-reference guide to protect yourself.
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check the URL | Ensure it matches the official site | Prevents phishing attacks |
| Verify the Sender | Look for official email addresses (avoid Gmail) | Confirms legitimacy |
| Google Test | Search phone numbers or seller names + “scam.” | Detects reported fraud |
| Never Share OTP | Keep one-time passwords private | Protects your accounts |
| Use Secure Payment | Prefer credit cards or trusted payment platforms | Adds fraud protection |
| Research Charities | Use official charity registries | Avoids fake donation scams |
| Be Skeptical of Urgency | Take time to verify urgent requests | Prevents impulsive decisions |
Gift Yourself Peace of Mind
The holiday season is a time for giving and joy, but it can also be a time when scammers try to take advantage. By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
- Scammers use rush, emotion, and distraction to deceive.
- The 12 scams outlined here are among the most common threats.
- Always verify before trusting any unexpected messages or offers.
Watch the full HousingInteractive vlog for deeper insights into these red flags and share this knowledge with your family and friends. Protecting your community is the best gift you can give this year.
Security is a habit, not a one-time event. This holiday season, gift yourself the peace of mind that comes from being informed and cautious.
