Holiday Email Scams: How to Spot Phishing Before You Click

The holidays are almost here! Between online shopping, tracking packages, hunting for deals, and planning celebrations, your inbox is probably working overtime.

Unfortunately, scammers know it, too.

According to the FBI’s Holiday Scams guidance, non-payment and non-delivery scams resulted in more than $503 million in reported losses in 2025. And that’s just one category of online fraud.

The good news? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few habits can help keep your money, personal information, and holiday spirit safe.

🎁 1. The “Your Package Couldn’t Be Delivered” Trick

The scenario: You’ve ordered gifts from five different stores, and honestly, you’ve lost track of what’s arriving when.

Then an email or text message pops up:

“Delivery failed! Your package is on hold. Update your address and pay a $1.95 redelivery fee.”

Sounds believable, right?

That’s exactly what scammers are counting on. Fake shipping notifications may impersonate USPS, UPS, FedEx, or other delivery services to trick you into entering payment information.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns about fake package tracking messages, particularly unexpected texts containing suspicious links. Similar impersonation tactics can also appear in phishing emails.

🛍️ 2. The “Too Good to Be True” Holiday Deal

The scenario: Your inbox announces a 90% discount on the headphones you’ve been eyeing.

But there’s a catch: The deal expires in 10 minutes!

Scammers use fake promotions, countdown timers, and familiar brand logos to pressure shoppers into clicking malicious links.

The FBI warns about holiday shopping scams, including fake deals, fraudulent sellers, and phishing attempts designed to steal personal information.

Your holiday survival moves:

• Visit the retailer’s official website instead of clicking the email link.
• Double-check the sender’s full email address.
• Be cautious of unbelievable discounts, especially from unfamiliar sellers.

💡 Quick tip: A real holiday bargain shouldn’t require you to gamble with your personal information.

💳 3. The “There’s a Problem with Your Payment” Panic

The scenario: You receive an email claiming your payment was declined or your bank account has been temporarily locked.

The message warns that you must verify your account immediately or risk losing access.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency because they don’t want you to stop and think.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains that phishing messages frequently impersonate trusted organizations and use urgent account warnings to trick people into sharing sensitive information.

Your holiday survival moves:

• Never provide passwords, verification codes, or banking details through an unsolicited email.
• Check your accounts through your financial institution’s website or app.
• Contact your financial institution using a trusted phone number if something seems suspicious.

💡 Quick tip: Legitimate financial institutions won’t ask you to email your password or share a one-time security code.

🎅 4. The “You’ve Received a Holiday Gift!” Surprise

The scenario: An unexpected email says you’ve received a digital gift card, holiday bonus, or special reward.

All you have to do is click to claim it.

But that cheerful-looking button could lead to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.

The FBI has specifically warned about fake holiday gift card promotions, including offers distributed through phishing emails and social media.

Your holiday survival moves:

• Confirm unexpected gifts directly with the supposed sender through another communication channel.
• Avoid opening unfamiliar attachments.
• Never enter account credentials just to claim an unexpected reward.

💡 Quick tip: If a coworker or friend supposedly sent you a gift card, a quick text can help confirm whether it’s real.

🔎 5. The 30-Second Holiday Phishing Check

Before clicking a link in an unexpected holiday email, give yourself 30 seconds to check:

📧 Sender: Does the full email address match the organization it claims to represent?

🔗 Link: On a computer, hover over the link without clicking. On mobile, verify suspicious messages through the official app or website instead.

⏰ Urgency: Is the email pressuring you to act immediately?

🔐 Information: Is it asking for passwords, payment details, or verification codes?

🎁 Context: Were you actually expecting this delivery, purchase confirmation, or reward?

Remember, scammers can make emails look professional, and even familiar-looking sender addresses can be spoofed. No single clue guarantees an email is safe.

🚨 Already Clicked? Here’s What to Do Next

Even careful shoppers can make mistakes. If you accidentally interact with a suspicious email, what you do next matters.

• Clicked a link? Close the suspicious page and avoid entering information. If you suspect a malicious download, update your security software and run a scan.
• Entered your password? Change it immediately through the official website and enable multifactor authentication.
• Shared payment information? Contact your financial institution or card issuer promptly.
• Downloaded an attachment? Run a security scan and seek technical assistance if your device behaves unusually.
• Want to report the scam? Submit a report through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more guidance on recovering from phishing attempts, visit the FTC’s How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams.

🎄 Keep the Holidays Merry, Not Scary

The holiday season should be about finding the perfect gifts, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the festivities, not worrying about whether every email is a scam.

Before you click that shipping update, incredible deal, or unexpected gift notification, take a moment to verify it.

Because the best holiday gift you can give yourself is peace of mind. 🎁