Rockford BBB: These Are 2025’s 12 Scams Of Christmas

Like the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year...unless you're one of the many people who have been victimized by a scam artist. They try to trick and con people out of their money and personal information year round, but they really amp things up for the holidays.

That's why the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging Northern Illinois residents to be alert and extra vigilant so you don't get your holidays ruined.

The agency has released its annual “12 Scams of Christmas” list, a roundup of the year’s most persistent and dangerous schemes. It’s a busy time of year, and scammers know it. With shoppers rushing to wrap up gifts, take advantage of online deals, and give to meaningful causes, fraudulent ads and messages are easier than ever to slip past distracted consumers.

It's Supposed To Be A Fun Time Of Year, Not The Most Scam-Filled Time

Regardless of the time of year, scammers are gonna scam, according to Dennis Horton, Senior Director of the Rockford BBB:

The holidays should be about celebration, not regret. If a deal seems too good to be true, take a step back and think twice. Many of the scams on this list are facilitated through emails and social media platforms; however, it is social media and pop-up ads where people are the most vulnerable.

Consumers should be especially wary when they’re asked to make payments through wire transfers, payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle, or via third-party gift cards. If you’re asked to pay in those ways, treat it as a red flag.

These Are The 12 Scams Of Christmas, According To The Rockford BBB

1. Misleading Social Media Ads: Fake sellers, counterfeit items, surprise monthly charges, and “free trial” traps continue to dominate BBB Scam Tracker reports. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok are the top platforms where shoppers run into trouble.

2. AI Scams: Hyper-realistic, AI-generated videos of celebrities asking for donations are making the rounds. Always verify the charity before giving.

3. Social Media Gift Exchanges: Whether it’s “Secret Sister,” bottle-of-wine swaps, or even “Secret Santa Dog,” they’re all illegal pyramid schemes disguised as holiday fun.

4. Holiday Apps: Kids’ apps that offer Santa calls or Christmas countdowns can hide excessive ads, data-collection practices, or even malware.

5. Fake Text Alerts Claiming You’ve Been Hacked: Phishing texts pretending to be from Amazon, PayPal, Netflix, or banks are on the rise. Don’t click, contact the company directly.

6. Free Gift Cards: Unsolicited emails promising rewards often attempt to harvest personal information. Mark them as spam.

7. Temporary Holiday Job Scams: Fraudulent job listings lure applicants with fake opportunities, then steal their information or money.

8. Look-Alike Websites: Scammers create near-identical versions of real retailer sites to trick people into purchases or malware downloads.

9. Fake Charities: High-pressure donation appeals surge in December. Legitimate charities always allow time to think before giving.

10. Package Delivery Scams: Fraudsters pose as USPS, UPS, or FedEx claiming there’s a delivery issue. Verify through the retailer, not the link.

11. Advent Calendar Scams: If the calendar promises luxury gifts at rock-bottom prices, it’s likely a fake.

12. Puppy Scams: With an estimated 80% of online pet ads being fraudulent, would-be pet owners should insist on seeing the animal in person.

As always, the BBB encourages consumers to research before buying, think carefully before clicking, and report suspicious activity to BBB Scam Tracker.