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This holiday season: Do your part. Shop smart.

Brought to you by BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and Walmart®

The holiday season is one of the busiest shopping times of the year - and scammers know it. That’s why the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Institute for Marketplace Trust, in partnership with Walmart®, is helping consumers shop smart and stay safe while making online purchases.

 

Did you know? According to BBB research, being aware of scams and how scammers operate greatly improves your chances of avoiding fraud and protecting your personal information.

6 Essential Online Holiday Shopping Tips

Don't let "porch pirates"
steal your holiday joy

Millions of packages are stolen every year. Take steps to protect your deliveries.

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Protect yourself on social media

More than 82% reported losing money when they engaged with a scammer via social media in 2024. Be cautious of ads pitching hard-to-beat prices, or online friends offering great deals. Always research the seller and only shop from their official website or app.

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Imposter shippers

Scammers are sending fake shipping alerts that look real—but don’t be fooled. These messages often include links that steal your info or install malware. Legitimate delivery companies won’t ask you to click shady links or enter personal details out of the blue.

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Fake Deals

Fake deals may look too good to resist, but that’s exactly how scammers lure you in. These bogus offers often claim you’ll snag big discounts or free gifts - but first they ask you to click a link, sign up, or enter your info. Real retailers don’t require you to hand over personal data just to see a deal. Stay alert, and don’t let “too good to be true” bait hook you.

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Be wary of unfamiliar sellers

If you are interested in buying from a new seller or website, take time to do research before you buy. Scammers can lure you in with too-good-to-be-true offers that take your money and leave you empty-handed.

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Remember: Gift cards are for gifts,
NOT for unsolicited payments

Gift cards can be the perfect holiday present for your friends or loved ones, but they can also be a red flag for fraud. Scammers ask people to pay them with gift cards because it’s a convenient way to steal money and difficult to trace or recover. Legitimate organizations will NEVER require you to pay them with a gift card.

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safe online holiday shopping guide front page

Download online holiday shopping tips

Get your free copy of our printable “Online holiday shopping tips” and learn how to protect your purchases, personal information, and peace of mind this season.

Download

How to Protect Yourself from Online Shopping Scams

BBB resources

General tips:
10 General Scam Tips
How to Spot a Scam
Tips for a great holiday season

Gift cards:
Gift card scams
Don't get scammed out of a gift card

Imposter/impersonation scams:
How to avoid impostor scams
How to spot a BBB impostor

Porch pirates: 
6 steps to avoid package theft

Social media:
Social media scams
How scammers use social media platforms
Think twice before buying from these social media ads

Untrustworthy/fake websites:
How to identify a fake website
"Brushing" scam indicates serious problem for victims

Walmart® resources

Sign up for BBB Scam Alerts  

 

 

Walmart® and Wal-Mart® are registered trademarks of Walmart.