Holiday Tech Scams to Avoid in 2025 (Fake Deliveries, Gift Cards & More)
Learn the top holiday tech scams targeting seniors in 2025 — including fake package delivery texts, gift card scams, charity fraud, AI voice cloning, and more. Get tips from Senior Tech Connect on how to stay safe this season.
Why Holiday Scams Are Worse in 2025
Every holiday season brings joy — family gatherings, gift exchanges, and plenty of online shopping. But in 2025, scammers are more sophisticated than ever. With AI voice cloning, fake delivery alerts, and high-pressure gift card scams, older adults are increasingly targeted.
At Senior Tech Connect, we help seniors stay confident and safe online. This guide breaks down the most common holiday scams of 2025 and shows you exactly how to avoid them.
1. Fake Package Delivery Scams (The #1 Scam of 2025)
With online shopping at an all-time high, scammers send text messages pretending to be USPS, UPS, Amazon, or FedEx.
How the scam works:
You receive a text or email saying:
“Your package is waiting. Confirm your address here.”
The link takes you to a fake website that steals personal information or infects your phone or computer.
How to avoid it:
Never click delivery links from text messages
Go directly to your Amazon/USPS/UPS app to track packages
Block unexpected “package update” numbers
2. Gift Card Scams
Scammers pretend to be:
A family member
A doctor’s office
A charity
A store employee
They’ll urgently ask you to buy gift cards from Target, Walmart, or Amazon and read the numbers over the phone.
Red flag rule:
If someone asks for gift cards as payment – it's ALWAYS a scam.
How to avoid it:
Hang up immediately
Never share gift card numbers with anyone
Report the scam to the store where you purchased the cards
3. AI Voice-Cloning Scams (A 2025 Growing Danger)
Scammers now use AI to imitate your loved one’s voice perfectly.
They may call and say:
“Grandma, I’m in trouble. I need money now.”
Protect yourself:
Hang up
Call the person directly on their known number
Set a “family password” for emergencies
4. Fake Charity & Holiday Donation Scams
Scammers take advantage of the giving season with fake holiday fundraisers.
How to stay safe:
Only donate through well-known charities
Avoid donating through email links
Look for a .org website and check review
5. Online Shopping Scams (Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals)
Scammers create fake holiday websites that look real but steal:
Credit card numbers
Personal information
Money (you never receive the items)
Avoid these traps by:
Shopping only from trusted retailers
Checking the website’s spelling (small changes are a red flag)
Making sure the URL starts with https
6. Fake “Family & Friends” Holiday Email Scams
Look out for emails claiming:
A distant relative needs help
You’ve won a holiday prize
Your account has been suspended
These are designed to make you panic and click on dangerous links.
Stay safe by:
Never opening attachments from unknown senders
Calling the person/company directly to confirm
Using strong spam filters
7. Romance + Holiday Loneliness Scams
The holidays can be emotional, and scammers know it.
They are often:
Pretend to form a romantic connection
Gain trust
Then ask for money “for travel” or “emergency bills”
How to avoid this scam:
Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person
Video chat before trusting anyone online
Talk to a trusted family member
How Seniors Cam Stay Safe This Holiday Season (STC Tips)
Top safety steps:
Use strong passwords and 2-factor authentication
Keep your phone and computer software updated
Take screenshots of suspicious messages
Never click unfamiliar links
Sign up for Senior Tech Connect webinars for hands-on guidance