The FBI Miami Field Office is warning the public of common holiday scams during the 2024 holiday season.

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, criminals are looking for opportunities to take advantage of consumers. The FBI is encouraging shoppers to be vigilant for scams that are designed to steal their money and personal information.

The two most prevalent holiday scams are non-delivery and non-payment crimes. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than 13,000 complaints of non-delivery goods, resulting in over $92 million in losses during the 2023 holiday season (between November 2023 and January 2024).

“The FBI urges consumers to be vigilant and protect themselves against criminals looking to make a quick buck this holiday season,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office. “Be on the lookout for these schemes, if it seems “too good to be true” it probably is.” Do your part to avoid the scammers and enjoy the holidays.”

Some of the common holiday scams the FBI warns of are:

• Online shopping scams – Scammers offer deals through phishing emails or advertisements.
• Social media scams – Scammers use social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards. These scams often lead consumers to complete online surveys designed to steal personal information.
• Smartphone app scams – Scammers design mobile apps disguised as free games that steal personal information.
• Work-from-home scams – Scammers use websites and social media posts that offer working from home. Convenience is the attention grabber, but there may be fraudulent intentions.
• Gift card scams – Victims receive a spoofed email, call, or text asking them to purchase multiple gift cards for personal or business reasons.
• Charity scams – Criminals set up false charities and profit from individuals who believe they are donating to legitimate organizations.

Protect yourself:

• Practice good cybersecurity hygiene.
• Know who you’re buying from or selling to.
• Be careful how you pay.
• Monitor the shipping process.

For more information on holiday scams, visit www.fbi.gov/holidayscams.

If you believe you are a victim of a scam, contact your financial institution immediately. You should also contact your local law enforcement agency. Finally, victims should file a complaint with IC3 by visiting www.IC3.gov.