The Better Business Bureau is sharing its Naughty List of the top 12 holiday scams, helping Canadians shop, donate, and celebrate with confidence.

From misleading social media ads to fake puppy listings, scammers often take advantage of the excitement and urgency of the season. A little knowledge goes a long way in protecting your wallet and your personal information.

12 Holiday scams to watch for:

1) Misleading social media ads. Flashy deals on toys or decorations leading to non-delivery, hidden subscriptions or counterfeit products.

2) Social media gift exchanges. “Secret Sister” or wine swaps, these scams trick you into buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals. It’s also an illegal pyramid scheme. Always beware sending money or gifts to strangers.

3) Holiday apps. With so many holiday-themed apps for children, that may be collecting personal data. Always review privacy policies to see what information is being collected. Be wary of free apps from unknown developers that may contain malware.

4) Fake toll collection texts. Watch out for fake road toll collection texts, these smishing messages claim you owe road toll fees and push urgent payment links. These are designed to steal your information.

5) Free gift card offers. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies and promise gift cards in exchange for personal information.

6) Temporary holiday jobs. Fake postings ask for upfront fees or sensitive personal details. Employment scams were the second riskiest scam in 2024, with a median dollar loss of $2,500.

7) Impostor scams. Fraudsters create fake or lookalike websites or customer service accounts to trick shoppers into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, or sharing personal information.

8) Fake charities. Scammers pretend to be individuals or organizations in need, hoping to tug at the heartstrings and take advantage of increased holiday giving.

9) Fake shipping notifications. With the surge of online purchases, phishing emails and texts claim you have a delivery issue and prompt you to click harmful links.

10) Advent calendar scams. Popular advent calendars promoted on social media may not arrive or may be low-quality knockoffs.

11) Holiday wish list items. In-demand toys and luxury items sold online at deep discounts are often counterfeit. Be very cautious when dealing with resellers.

12) Puppy scams. Up to 80% of online pet ads may be fake. Always see the pet in person before making a payment.

How to Stay on the Nice List

Research first. Check BBB.org to read reviews before you buy or donate.

Pause on urgency. Unsolicited links, wire transfers, gift cards or third-party payments are red flags. Verify directly from the official website.

Protect your information. Use credit cards for purchases and donations for easier dispute resolution. Review app privacy policies and always meet pets in person before paying.

Track packages safely. Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails and texts. Use delivery information from the retailer’s official confirmation email.

Report and share. Spot a scam? Submit to BBB Scam Tracker.

Give smart. Verify a charity on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.

Staying savvy protects more than your own holiday. It strengthens trust in the community. Visit our Holiday HQ for more seasonal tips and resources.

e-KNOW file photo

BBB Serving Mainland BC & the Yukon Territory

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