Protect yourself from fraud during peak holiday seasons

The holidays are a prime time for fraudsters seeking to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. Whether you are booking travel, shopping online or managing financial accounts, it is important to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to protect yourself from scams.

In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost $15.9 billion to fraud—a 32% increase over the previous year. Familiarizing yourself with common holiday scam tactics and adopting layered safeguards can help reduce risk during periods of heightened criminal activity.

Here are four key areas to consider to help ensure your holiday season is marked by festivity, not fraud.

1. Safeguarding your personal information

Criminals may pose as government agencies, service providers, online retailers and banks to gain access to confidential information or redirect funds to fraudulent accounts. Taking steps to verify requests and limit exposure of sensitive information can help protect you from impersonation and identity theft.

• Spot impersonators: Artificial intelligence can be used to generate convincing fraudulent emails, texts, calls and video conversations, known as “deepfakes.” Never share login credentials, account numbers or personal information unless you are certain of the requestor’s identity.
• Deny remote access: If you receive pop-up ads or messages claiming your device has an issue, do not call the provided number or click any links. Consult a reputable service provider instead.
• Shield online accounts: Use complex logins, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid “Keep Me Logged In” features and log out when finished.
•  Freeze credit profiles: Restricting access to your credit report can help prevent identity theft and unauthorized accounts opened in your name.

Key considerations

• Are you certain the person or organization contacting you is legitimate?
• Have you limited access to sensitive account, device and credit information?
• Are your online accounts protected with strong credentials and multi-factor authentication?

2. Traveling smart during peak seasons

Scammers can create convincing websites that mimic legitimate travel agencies, hotels, resorts and excursion companies. They may also use information shared on social platforms to devise attacks. Before booking or sharing travel details, take time to verify sources and protect your devices.

• Book through trusted sources: Enter official website addresses directly into your browser rather than clicking links from emails or ads. Bookmark trusted sites for future use.
• Question “too good to be true” deals: Research companies and read reviews before paying for travel or excursions.
• Protect your devices: Avoid public Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels, airports and other open spaces. Consider using a VPN, and keep systems and software up to date.
• Do not overshare: Posting your location and trip details on social media could create physical safety risks. Consider waiting until you return home.

Key considerations

• Are you booking through a verified travel provider or official website?
• Have you researched the company before paying for a trip or excursion?
• Are you protecting devices and avoiding unnecessary location sharing while away?

3. Shopping safely online

Fraudsters may manipulate browser algorithms to intentionally rank fraudulent websites in search results. This technique exploits the trust users place in familiar search portals and can make fake retailers appear legitimate. Careful verification and secure payment practices are essential when shopping online.

• Verify websites: Check the URL to ensure the web address matches the searched name. Use the icon to the left of the web address to validate the organization and confirm the connection is secure.
• Pay securely: Use payment methods that provide protection against fraud, such as credit cards. Direct payment channels can make it difficult to recover funds, so only send funds to recipients you know.
• Purchase from known retailers: Buying from unfamiliar merchants can result in incorrect or poor-quality items—or not receiving items at all.
• Lock your card: Restrict access to cards that are not actively being used, may have been misplaced, stolen or compromised. Use caution when saving payment information online.

Key considerations

• Does the retailer’s website address look correct and secure?
• Are you using a payment method that provides fraud protection?
• Have you avoided saving payment details where unnecessary?

4. Protecting your financial accounts

Fraudsters employ various tactics to access financial information and compromise accounts. By implementing multiple layers of security, you can help protect your accounts and prevent unauthorized access.

• Enhance login credentials: Avoid using personal information or repeating passwords across accounts. Consider using an obscure passphrase, such as a song title or a line from a poem—something unique to you.
• Enable multi-factor controls: Leverage tokens or other step-up security options to help block unauthorized access.
• Monitor account activity: Enable alerts to receive real-time account activity notifications and spot fraudulent transactions.
• Go paperless: Enroll in online statements to reduce the risk of mail theft and protect sensitive information.

Key considerations

• Are your passwords or passphrases for each financial account unique?
• Have you enabled multi-factor authentication or step-up controls?
• Are account alerts and online statements set up to help detect suspicious activity quickly?

Looking ahead

As scams become more sophisticated, regularly assessing your consumer habits and online activity, as well as the latest criminal tactics, are key to preventing fraud year-round. Staying informed and maintaining strong security practices throughout the holidays can help keep you and your family safe during peak shopping and travel seasons.

We can help

If you believe you may have been a victim of fraud, please speak with your J.P. Morgan team immediately. Your J.P. Morgan team can help you navigate potential risks, review protective steps and identify additional resources to help safeguard your information and accounts.