Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely and Don’t Worry About Scams

As we gather with loved ones to celebrate gratitude, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what we cherish most. At Bitdefender, we’re thankful for the opportunity to empower, protect, and educate millions of people around the world. Whether we’re safeguarding families from scams, defending against cyber threats, or spreading awareness about online safety, we’re honored to play a part in keeping your digital and personal lives secure.

This Thanksgiving, while you enjoy the warmth of family and friends, remember that scammers don’t take holidays. Here’s what you need to know about the most common scams around Thanksgiving and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Fake Charities Prey on Generosity

The holiday season is all about giving back. But, unfortunately, not every charity is legitimate. Scammers often create fake charities that pull at your heartstrings, asking for donations to causes that don’t exist. They’ll use phone calls, emails, or social media to make their appeals seem authentic.

How to Protect Yourself:

Always verify a charity’s legitimacy by checking websites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
Avoid clicking links in emails or messages—go directly to the charity’s official website to donate.
Be cautious of high-pressure tactics or urgent pleas for donations.

You can read more about charity scams here.

The Problem with Gift Cards

Gift cards are an easy and thoughtful holiday gift, but they’re also a prime target for scammers. Some fraudsters tamper with gift card packaging in stores, stealing the card numbers and waiting for them to be activated. Once you purchase and activate the card, they drain the balance before it’s even used.

A Real-Life Example:
Latonya Jackson learned this the hard way last Thanksgiving. She gifted multiple cards to her community, hoping to spread some holiday cheer. “They were expecting to buy their Thanksgiving meal with the gift card we gave them,” she shared. “We got calls the following week saying some of the cards had no balance. It was horrible and embarrassing.”

How to Stay Safe:

Buy gift cards that are locked up behind the counter, not on open racks.
Consider sending digital gift cards via email or text to avoid tampering.
Always keep your receipts—many retailers replace stolen balances if you have proof of purchase.

Beware of QR Code Scams This Thanksgiving

Law enforcement agencies in the US are warning consumers to be cautious of QR code scams during the holiday season.

QR codes are convenient for quick payments and accessing data, but scammers can also manipulate them to trick people into visiting fake websites, stealing personal information and money, or even triggering malware downloads. Fraudsters can replace legitimate QR codes on signs, menus, or payment kiosks with their own codes, redirecting unsuspecting users to fake websites.

How to Stay Safe:

Type It Out: Avoid scanning QR codes for payments or account issues. Instead, manually type the website address into your browser to ensure you’re visiting the correct site.
Pause and Inspect: Scammers will use fear tactics to pressure you into taking immediate action. If a QR code leads to a page with urgent warnings or requests for immediate action, pause and inspect the request closely.
Verify the Source: Only scan QR codes from trusted sources, such as official retailer signs, receipts, or known organizations.
Use Security Tools: Bitdefender’s anti-phishing features can help detect malicious websites linked to fraudulent QR codes, giving you an added layer of protection.

You can read more about QR code scams and Quishing here.

Don’t Forget About Shopping Scams

Thanksgiving doesn’t just mark the start of holiday festivities, it also kicks off the shopping season, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner. While millions of shoppers hunt for deals, scammers are ready to strike, targeting users with fake order confirmations, phony websites, and bogus discounts. According to Bitdefender’s Black Friday Spam Report, cybercriminals significantly ramped up their efforts during this period, so much so that 77% of all Black Friday-themed spam emails analyzed by Bitdefender Antispam Lab researcher in 2024 were marked as scams.

Common shopping scams to watch out for include fake online stores, phishing emails impersonating trusted retailers and social media ads.

How to Protect Yourself During Thanksgiving Shopping:

Verify Websites: Before purchasing, double-check that the URL and be wary of slight misspellings or unfamiliar domain extensions.
Avoid Clicking on Links: Instead of clicking on links in emails or ads, type the retailer’s website address directly into your browser.
Look for Trust Signals: Check for reviews, return policies, and contact information to ensure the store is legitimate.
Use a Security Solution: security solutions like Bitdefender’s advanced anti-phishing and anti-fraud protections can help identify fake websites and block malicious links.

Get more insights on Black Friday scams here: Black Friday Scams Exposed: Insights from GASA’s Jorij Abraham On What Shoppers Can Expect and Safety Tips

Watch Out for Shipping Scams

During the holiday rush, fake shipping notifications are everywhere. These scams trick you into clicking on links to track a package you weren’t expecting, leading to malware or phishing sites designed to steal your personal information.

How to Protect Yourself:

Never click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
If you’re expecting a package, manually enter the tracking number on the carrier’s official website.
Be extra cautious with emails claiming there’s an “issue” with your delivery.

Travel Scams Are on the Rise

With millions of Americans traveling for Thanksgiving, scammers are finding new ways to target travelers. Fake booking sites, phishing emails, and even TSA PreCheck scams are designed to trick you into sharing personal information or paying unnecessary fees.

Pro Tip: TSA will never ask for money or personal details via email. If you get an email claiming to come from TSA, report it immediately to the FTC.

How to Stay Safe:

Book travel directly through reputable airline or hotel websites, not third-party links.
Be skeptical of travel deals that seem too good to be true.

More practical tips to help you stay safe

Update Your Passwords: Before you head off for the holidays, make sure your accounts are protected with strong, unique passwords. Turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that can help keep hackers out.
Back Up Your Data: If you’re traveling with a laptop or phone, back up your data before leaving. That way, even if your device is lost or stolen, your important files are safe.
Avoid Public WiFi: Public networks in airports or cafes can expose your private information. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep your internet connection secure.
Be Cautious on Social Media: It’s tempting to share your travel plans or post holiday photos in real time, but that could alert criminals that your home is empty. Wait until you’re back to share those updates.

Let Bitdefender Help Protect Your Holiday

The holiday season should be a time of joy and connection, not stress and frustration caused by scammers and cyberthreats. Whether you’re shopping, traveling, or donating, make sure to slow down, double-check information and use a trusted cybersecurity solution from Bitdefender.

For added peace of mind, try Bitdefender Scamio, an AI-powered scam detection chatbot available for free on web browsers, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Discord. Scamio can help identify scams in real time, keeping you one step ahead of fraudsters.

Stay safe this holiday season—let Bitdefender be your partner in security.

Happy Thanksgiving, and stay safe this holiday season!