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Holiday shopping scam red flags
Ten quick checks to run before you pay a shop, a seller or a delivery fee this season, and a free card to keep by the phone.
Checklist + printable card · free PDF · no account
Before you pay
- Price too good to be true
- Gift cards, wire or crypto only
- Arrived through a link or text
- Rushes you
- Wants to move off the site
Ten red flags
before you pay
Tick each one that fits. One is enough to stop and check.
Free, printable, takes two minutes.
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The rule
If a message makes you hurry, stop and open the shop yourself.
What to do
- Stop. Don't tap the link or reply to the message.
- Open the shop by typing its address yourself, or use its official app, and check the offer there.
- Talk to someone you trust before paying a shop you haven't used.
- If you paid by card, gift card, wire or crypto: contact the company or your bank right away, say you paid a scammer and ask for a refund.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to the site or app where you saw it. Internet crime can also be reported to the FBI at ic3.gov.
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