# Holiday shopping scams and stolen packages: how to stay safe > Be wary of deals that look too good, brand-new sites and no real reviews. Pay with a credit card so you can dispute charges, and avoid sellers who want gift cards, wires or payment apps. Ignore surprise “delivery problem” texts; check orders in the official app. Prevent porch theft with tracking, lockers, store pickup or signatures. If a package is stolen, contact the seller first, then report it to the carrier and police and dispute the charge if needed. - URL: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages ## Step by step 1. **Holiday shopping season?** It’s also scam season and package-theft season. A few habits keep your money and your gifts safe. 2. **Too-good-to-be-true deals are often fake.** Fake stores copy real brands with huge discounts. Check the web address, look for real reviews, and be wary of brand-new sites. 3. **Pay with a credit card.** Credit cards usually let you dispute charges if an order never arrives. Avoid sellers who want gift cards, wire transfers or payment apps. 4. **Ignore surprise “delivery problem” texts.** Scammers send fake tracking links to steal card numbers. Check orders only in the store’s or carrier’s official app or site. 5. **Protect packages on the porch.** Track deliveries, use lockers or store pickup, ask for a signature on expensive items, or have a neighbor grab them. 6. **Package stolen? Contact the seller first.** Many sellers replace or refund stolen packages. Also report it to the carrier and police, and dispute the charge with your card if needed. 7. **Give and buy carefully.** Check charities before donating, never pay anyone with gift cards, and be careful with sellers who push you to pay outside the app. ## Checklist - Skip deals that look too good - Pay with a credit card - Ignore surprise delivery texts - Use lockers, pickup or signatures - Stolen? Call the seller, then report - Check charities; never pay with gift cards ## Fake stores and deals Scam sites copy real brands and advertise huge discounts, especially on social media. Check the web address carefully, look for reviews from other sources, and be wary of brand-new sites with no history. ## Pay the safe way Use a credit card, which usually lets you dispute charges for items that never arrive. Avoid sellers who ask for gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or payment apps. ## Fake delivery texts and emails Messages about a “delivery problem” with a link are a common trick to steal card numbers or install malware. Check orders only in the store’s or carrier’s official app or site. ## Prevent porch theft - Track deliveries and bring packages in quickly. - Ship to a locker, store pickup or your workplace if allowed. - Require a signature for expensive items. - Ask a neighbor to grab packages. - A doorbell camera can deter thieves and help with reports. ## If a package is stolen 1. Contact the seller; many replace or refund stolen packages. 2. Report it to the carrier. 3. File a police report. 4. If needed, dispute the charge with your card or use its purchase protection. ## Charities and gift cards Verify charities before donating, and never pay anyone with gift cards. Report scams to the FTC. ## Common questions ### Is it a crime to steal packages? Yes. Stealing packages is theft, and taking mail can also be a federal crime. Report it to police. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/is-it-a-crime-to-steal-packages ### Does homeowners or renters insurance cover stolen packages? Sometimes, but the deductible often makes a claim not worth it. Try the seller and your card first. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/does-homeowners-or-renters-insurance-cover-stolen-packages ### How do I spot a fake online store? Huge discounts on popular items, a web address that’s slightly off, a brand-new site, no contact information and no reviews from other sources. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/how-do-i-spot-a-fake-online-store ### What should I do if my package was stolen? Contact the seller first, report it to the carrier and police, and dispute the charge with your credit card if needed. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/what-should-i-do-if-my-package-was-stolen ### Are delivery texts with links safe? Surprise texts about delivery problems are often scams. Check orders only in the official app or site. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/are-delivery-texts-with-links-safe ### How can I stop packages from being stolen? Track deliveries, use lockers or store pickup, require signatures for expensive items, or ask a neighbor to bring them in. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/how-can-i-stop-packages-from-being-stolen ### Why shouldn’t I pay with gift cards? Gift card payments are hard to trace and nearly impossible to get back. Real businesses don’t demand them. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/why-shouldnt-i-pay-with-gift-cards ### How do I check if a charity is real? Look up the charity’s name with words like “complaint” or “scam,” and give directly through its official website, not through unsolicited calls or links. Source page: https://explained.page/holiday-scams-and-stolen-packages/questions/how-do-i-check-if-a-charity-is-real ## Official sources - [FTC consumer advice: online shopping](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) - [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) - [USPS Postal Inspection Service: mail theft](https://www.uspis.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your city] police non-emergency report theft" - "check a charity before donating" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.