Check this out. According to Alliant, fraud attempts and scams increase approximately 30% during the holiday season. During the holidays, we usually shop faster, give more freely, and navigate our way through crowded stores and busy schedules. This leaves more opportunities for fraudsters to take advantage of us, steal our identities, or run up charges on our accounts.
Let’s put this into perspective. When I was 8 years old, someone stole $20 of my birthday money out of my purse. Luckily, I found out who took it and got my money back. However, I still felt violated and became more cautious where I kept my money and who had access to it. This still happens today.
So, with the holiday season here, today’s we’re dishin’ on holiday scams and how to protect yourself from holiday fraud.
What is a Holiday Money Scam? (And Why Pet Parents are High-Value Targets)
A holiday money scam is any scheme designed to trick you into sending money, sharing personal information, or granting access to your accounts. It’s usually disguised as a seasonal offer, sale, or act of kindness.
And some of these scams aren’t as easy to catch as we may think. In fact, the Better Business Bureau states that 80% of sponsored pet ads may be fake. So, proceed with caution. I mean, have we learned nothing from Netflix’s Inventing Anna.
15 Common Pet Scams Dog Owners Must Watch For This Holiday Season
Speaking of Inventing Anna, there are a million scams out there. But here are 15 common ones to look out for this holiday season. Especially, as you’re getting ready to shop.
1. The “Gift Puppy” Scam
The scammer asks for a deposit or shipping fee to buy or gift someone a puppy. After you pay, the website vanishes and so does your money.
Tip: Never buy or adopt a pet you haven’t met in person or via live video. Real breeders and rescues don’t rush you or require gift cards for payment.
2. Pet Travel & Shipping Scams
Fraudsters pose as transport services claiming they can deliver your puppy “just in time for Christmas.” They add fake costs like “crate insurance” or “temperature fees.”
Tip: Legitimate carriers provide itemized invoices and receipts. If costs keep changing, walk away.
3. Holiday Charity & Rescue Scams
Fake nonprofits pop up in December, sharing emotional stories about rescuing dogs from shelters. Donations go straight to scammers’ pockets.
Tip: Verify organizations through Charity Navigator, the IRS nonprofit database, or your local humane society before donating.
4. Fake “Limited-Edition” Subscription Boxes
You see ads for “12 Days of Dog Boxes” or “Holiday Gift Sets.” You subscribe, get charged, and receive nothing.
Tip: Research reviews on independent sites, not just the company’s Instagram page.
5. Fake Delivery & Shipping Notifications
Texts and emails that say, “Your package couldn’t be delivered – click to reschedule” are holiday goldmines for scammers. Clicking the link often installs malware or steals your info.
Tip: Track any packages directly from the retailer’s website or delivery app.
6. Gift Card & Secret Santa Scams
You get an email or message asking you to buy gift cards for a coworker, charity, or “holiday exchange.” Once you send the card code, the scammer disappears.
Tip: Confirm through a secondary method (like a phone call) before buying gift cards on someone’s
behalf.
7. Fake Refund or “Holiday Bonus” Emails
Messages promising a “holiday refund” or “cashback reward” for your loyalty are clickbait. The links lead to fake portals that steal your financial info.
Tip: Always check directly with your retailer or bank through official apps or websites.
8. Counterfeit Pet Supply Deals
You find a “flash sale” on dog toys, supplements, or beds. The site looks real but ships low-quality knock offs or nothing at all.
Tip: Stick to trusted retailers and double-check URLs for subtle misspellings.
9. Rehoming Fee Traps
Scammers claim to be rehoming a dog and ask for a small “rehoming fee.” Once paid, they vanish.
Tip: Always verify the rehoming situation with local rescues or vets. Never send money sight unseen.
10. Holiday Grooming & Boarding Scams
Fake pet sitters and “luxury kennels” offer unbeatable deals for the holidays. You pay a deposit, and the business doesn’t exist.
Tip: Visit facilities in person and check Google reviews. If they only communicate through text or social media DMs, that’s a red flag.
11. Pet Insurance Imposter Calls
Someone claiming to be your pet insurer says your plan is expiring and asks you to update payment details.
Tip: Hang up and call your insurer directly using the official number on your statement.
12. Vet Bill Relief Scams
“Holiday vet aid programs” sound charitable but often charge “application fees” or steal personal info.
Tip: Reputable pet assistance programs, like RedRover or Waggle, never charge to apply.
13. Holiday Job & Side-Gig Scams
You see an ad for flexible “work-from-home holiday gigs.” The scammer asks for upfront fees or bank info.
Tip: Legit employers don’t require payments to start working. Verify companies via LinkedIn or the BBB.
14. Too-Good-to-Be-True Online Sales
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and “12 Days of Deals” promos flood your feed. Many lead to fake sites designed to capture credit card data.
Tip: Trust your gut – a $20 Apple Watch or $30 Dyson is not real.
15. Credit Card or Account Takeover Fraud
Increased online shopping gives scammers more chances to steal your info through data breaches or phishing.
Tip: Monitor your bank statements weekly and set up fraud alerts through your card provider.
How Dog Moms Can Protect Our Finances from Holiday Fraud & Scams
Financial mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware and intentional with your money decisions – pausing to understand why, how, and where you spend so that your choices align with your values, goals, and peace of mind. The goal is to practice financial mindfulness and pay attention to the signs.
Dog Mom Math Rule #2: “Discounts aren’t spending, they’re saving” becomes your financial mindfulness practice when it comes to holiday scam protection. In essence, the rule reminds us to pause before a purchase and determine if we’re really saving or are we just reacting to the idea of a deal.
Here are five ways to protect yourself using Dog Mom Math Rule #2:
1. Check your transactions often and set alerts.
Scammers count on you being distracted. Reviewing your account weekly (or even daily), helps you catch small unauthorized charges. Set text or email alerts so you real time notifications on any suspicious activity.
2. Shop Smart, Not Fast
Verify sites, look for “https://,” and question every “deal.” Pause before you click the “buy” button. Slow shopping is safe shopping and will help you assess the how much you’re saving during your purchases.
3. Upgrade Your Security Tools
Use digital wallets and strong PIN protection. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other encrypted payment tools are your modern armor against fraud. Keep your PIN private, update your passwords, and treat your payment info like your dog’s microchip number, sacred and secure.
4. Stay Scam-Aware Beyond Shopping Carts
Watch for fake delivery notices, charity appeals, and refund messages. Scammers love holiday chaos. Don’t click random tracking links or “urgent donation” requests. Go directly to the retailer or nonprofit’s official site to confirm what’s real. Trust your instincts.
5. Know Your Financial Backup Plan
Understand your card’s fraud protection and report issues immediately. Most credit cards have zero- liability policies, but only if you act fast. If something seems wrong, contact your bank immediately. The sooner you report, the sooner you can recover, and keep your budget.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed by Holiday Fraud
1. Act fast. Immediately contact your bank or credit card company to dispute charges.
2. Change your passwords on any accounts you shared information with.
3. Report the scam to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov), the Better Business Bureau, or IC3.gov
(for online crimes).
4. Alert the platform. Report fake sellers or ads to Facebook, Instagram, Shopify, or the
marketplace you used.
5. Talk about it. Sharing your story on social media helps others avoid the same trap. Scammers
thrive on silence.
Proactive Protection for Pet Parents This Holiday Season
There are a million scams out there. I’ve learned that practicing financial mindfulness through Dog Mom Math has helped me more intentional decisions about my spending decisions. Especially, during the holiday season.
The biggest lesson I learned from someone stealing my birthday money was that it wasn’t my fault. I just had to be more intentional about where I put my money and who I let get access to it. So, as we get ready for the holiday season, the best thing we can do is be proactive. Take the steps to protect your money, so we can focus on making memories with our families.
Now we’d love to hear from you. How are you protecting yourself from scammers? Are there any new scams you’ve heard of that pet parents should watch out for?
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