The FBI Cleveland Field Office issued a public warning about holiday scams during the seasonal shopping season and urged consumers to be on the lookout of scams that are designed to steal money or obtain personal information.

In a news release, the field office states that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receives over 800,000 scam and fraud complaints per year, with phishing and spoofing remaining one of the most common types of scams. The release also states that Ohio ranked #7 in Internet Crime Complaint Center complaints in 2024.

Some of the common holiday scams the FBI warns of are:

  • Online shopping scams – Scammers offer deals through phishing e-mails or advertisements.
  • Non-delivery scams, where you pay for goods or services you find online, but you never receive your items
  • Social media scams – Scammers use social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards. These scams often lead consumers to complete online surveys designed to steal personal information.
  • Smartphone app scams – Scammers design mobile apps disguised as free games that steal personal information.
  • Work-from-home scams – Scammers use websites and social media posts that offer working from home for extra holiday cash. Convenience is the attention grabber, but there may be fraudulent intentions.
  • Gift card scams – Victims receive a spoofed e-mail, call, or text asking them to purchase multiple gift cards for a person or business reasons, or to pay with a pre-paid gift card.
  • Charity scams – Criminals set up false charities and profit from individuals who believe they are donating to legitimate organizations.

"While it may seem like an uptick during the holidays, the reality is as the volume of shopping transactions increase, so does fraudulent activity," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. "Scammers are working every day of the year; there are simply more opportunities during the holidays. Anyone, regardless of their age or how tech-savvy one may be, can become a victim, whether conducting a transaction in person or online, someone with criminal intent will find their next victim."

Some tips to be aware of when dealing with scammers, according to the FBI:

  • Do not open any unsolicited emails or click on any links if they open the email.
  • Do not scan any QR codes, text, or call phone numbers to provide additional information if you've received an unsolicited package.
  • Remember to secure banking and credit accounts with strong and different passwords and secure all other accounts that contain anything of value, such as rewards accounts, online accounts that save payment information and accounts containing private and personal information.
  • Steer clear of untrustworthy sites or ads offering items at unrealistic discounts or with special coupons.
  • Use caution and pause to verify when downloading mobile applications.
  • Consumers should be vigilant when receiving items purchased from online auctions and third-party marketplaces.
  • Never wire money directly to a seller.
  • Don't pay for items with pre-paid gift cards. In these scams, a seller will ask you to send them a gift card number and PIN. Instead of using that gift card for your payment, the scammer will steal the funds, and you'll never receive your item.
  • Use a credit card when shopping online and check your statement regularly. If you see a suspicious transaction, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.