Stay safe, stay joyful, and keep your money where it belongs!
‘Tis the season for festive lights, warm gatherings… and unfortunately, for scammers hoping to cash in on the holiday rush. Before you finish your shopping list, take a moment to protect yourself from the most common holiday scams making the rounds this year.
1. Phishing Emails & Texts
Scammers love the holidays almost as much as we do—because it gives them an excuse to send fake delivery notices, order confirmations, or even “letters from Santa” designed to steal your personal information.
What to do:
- Never click unfamiliar links
- Don’t download attachments from unknown senders
- When in doubt, sign into the retailer’s or shipper’s website directly instead of using links
2. Fake Charities
This is the time of year when generosity shines… and sadly, when fake charities try to take advantage of it.
How to stay safe:
- Verify organizations on CharityNavigator.org
- Give through the charity’s official website—never through a link sent via message
- Be cautious of high-pressure “donate now” tactics
3. Porch Pirates & Package Theft
With millions of packages delivered in December, thieves take advantage of boxes left unattended on porches and doorsteps.
Prevention tips:
- Request a signature for high-value packages
- Track your deliveries and bring them inside quickly
- Consider Amazon Locker locations when sending a gift
4. Bogus Shopping Sites
That too-good-to-be-true price on a popular gift? It probably is too good to be true. Fake online stores pop up every year, collecting money—and sometimes personal data—but delivering nothing.
Think before you click:
- Only shop on trusted, known websites
- Watch for URL lookalikes (like amaz0n.com vs amazon.com)
- Make sure the site uses https://
5. Fake Freebies & Giveaways
“Win a free iPhone!” “Claim your free cruise!” “Holiday gift basket giveaway!”
Scammers use social media and text messages to promise outrageous prizes that install malware or harvest your information.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Ignore suspicious messages, and never download unfamiliar apps or files.
6. Defunct or Tampered Gift Cards
Gift cards are a popular present—but scammers often sell empty, expired, or previously used cards.
Before buying:
- Inspect the card
- Make sure the protective sticker and activation code are intact
- When in doubt, buy directly from the retailer’s counter or website
7. Fake Seasonal Job Offers
Scammers post “job openings” on social media that lead to fake application portals designed to steal your personal information.
To avoid job scams:
- Apply only through official company websites
- Avoid any job that asks for upfront fees or unnecessary personal details
- Never click “apply” buttons in social media ads
Stay Alert, Stay Safe, and Don’t Get Grinched!
Enjoy the season, but keep an eye out for anything that seems off. A few extra seconds of caution can protect your money and your identity.
And remember…
AGCU will never ask for your personal information by text, email, or unsolicited phone call.
If you’re ever unsure, call us directly.
Contact AGCU Member Care:
📞 866-508-AGCU (2428) | Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
📧 info@agcu.org
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