Online Scams Are Rising: How To Protect Yourself From Misleading Online Ads

Online scams are increasing every year, and the risks become even higher during the holiday season. 

As more people shop online, search for deals, and click on ads for gifts or last-minute purchases, scammers take advantage of the rush. 

According to Pew Research Center, 73 percent of U.S. adults have encountered some form of online scam or digital attack, and 36 percent have been affected by online shopping scams in which the product never arrived or was counterfeit.

The holidays create the perfect environment for misleading ads to appear trustworthy. Shoppers are busy, distracted, and looking for quick savings, which makes it easier for fake stores, deceptive promotions, and impersonator ads to slip through. 

Understanding how these scams work during the busiest shopping season of the year can help protect your finances, your personal information, and your peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

• Online scams spike during the holiday season as shoppers look for deals and last-minute purchases.
• Fake ads, counterfeit stores, and delivery scams become more common in December.
• Staying alert to red flags like unrealistic prices and suspicious URLs is especially important this time of year.
• Taking a few extra moments to verify a website can prevent losing money during the busiest shopping season.
• Acting quickly after a scam can protect your finances heading into the new year.

The Rise Of Online Scams And Misleading Ads

The holiday season brings a surge in online shopping, and scammers know this better than anyone. With more people searching for gifts, sales, and fast delivery options, deceptive ads become harder to spot. This makes understanding how online scams operate especially important in December.

As more people shop and manage finances online, scammers have expanded their reach. Social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and search engines such as Google and YouTube allow scam ads to blend seamlessly into everyday content. Since users typically trust the platforms they browse, misleading ads can gain traction quickly.

Scammers often target people searching for financial help, especially with debt or credit challenges. Misleading “debt relief” ads are increasingly common, so it’s important to understand what real support looks like. If you’re researching legitimate options, Americor provides a clear overview of how debt resolution works so you can avoid misleading offers.

Common examples of misleading ads include:

• Fake online stores
• Financial products with unrealistic promises
• Imposters pretending to represent real companies
• Fake loan approvals requiring upfront fees
• Scam customer service numbers designed to steal information

Why Online Ads Are So Convincing

During the holidays, festive designs and holiday-themed promotions make scam ads blend in even more easily. Scammers may mimic seasonal branding, limited-time offers, and holiday discounts to attract shoppers into clicking quickly without double-checking the source.

Using AI-generated graphics, professional-quality design, and polished branding, scammers create ads that appear credible at first glance. Many consumers assume that high-quality visuals signal legitimacy, but this is a misconception scammers exploit.

These ads are also highly targeted. Scammers use the same advertising tools as real businesses to reach users based on interests, browsing habits, and demographics. Combined with urgency tactics like “limited supply” or “act now,” they encourage quick clicks over careful evaluation.

Scammers frequently use:

• Professional branding and polished design
• AI-generated visuals
• Fake likes, reviews, and comments
• Targeted ad campaigns
• Urgency or fear-based messaging

The Most Common Types Of Online Scams

Scams shift and expand during the holiday months. Fake storefronts promise holiday deals, counterfeit product ads multiply, and fraudulent delivery notifications spike. Knowing the most common seasonal scams can help you shop with confidence.

Online scams continue to evolve as consumers grow more aware of fraud. Pew’s research shows that shopping scams and fraudulent charges are among the most widely experienced forms of digital fraud. Understanding the major categories can help you recognize threats early.

Fake online stores remain widespread, often advertising deep discounts on popular items. Financial scam ads are also increasing — including imposters posing as lenders, banks, or debt relief providers. 

Before trusting any financial ad, it helps to understand what legitimate services actually provide by reviewing how authentic debt relief programs operate.

Frequent scam types include:

• Fake online stores
• Fake credit card or instant-approval loan ads
• Imposters posing as reputable financial companies
• Loan scams requiring upfront payments
• Subscription traps disguised as free trials
• Cryptocurrency or investment scams
• Fake prize or giveaway claims
• Fake tech support or customer service numbers

Warning Signs: How To Spot A Misleading Online Ad

The pressure of holiday shopping — from finding the right gift to staying within budget — can make even cautious consumers click too fast. This season is the perfect time to slow down and recognize the small warning signs that reveal an ad may not be what it seems.

Most scam ads share similar red flags that become easier to recognize with practice. Scammers often rely on emotional pressure and unrealistic promises to encourage quick clicks. Taking a few seconds to evaluate an ad can prevent major financial harm.

Look for suspicious URLs, vague product descriptions, incorrect spelling, or prices that seem impossibly low. 

Scammers also rely heavily on urgency, such as claiming “only a few items left.” Knowing what real processes look like can help you identify unrealistic claims. For example, Americor clearly explains the steps involved in the debt settlement process, which contrasts with the pressure tactics scammers use. 

Warning signs include:

• Prices far below market value
• Slightly altered or misspelled URLs
• Vague descriptions or grammar issues
• Time-pressure tactics
• Suspicious or inconsistent reviews
• Early requests for personal information
• No clear refund policy

What To Do If You Suspect An Online Ad Is Misleading

If something feels off during the holiday rush, trust your instincts. Scammers count on shoppers being overwhelmed or in a hurry. Taking a moment to verify the source can save you from losing money on a gift that never arrives. 

Instead of clicking the ad, visit the company’s website manually by typing its name into your browser. 

Look for consistent reviews across multiple platforms, confirm business registration, and check whether others have reported similar scams. The Federal Trade Commission’s reporting tool is a reliable resource for identifying and reporting fraud.

Smart steps include:

• Avoid clicking the suspicious ad
• Visit the official website manually
• Compare reviews on reputable sites
• Verify business registration details
• Use the FTC’s Scam Tracker to research reports
• Report misleading ads to help protect others

How Credit Ads Mislead Consumers

Holiday spending often brings more interest in credit cards, personal loans, and buy-now-pay-later offers. Scammers use this to their advantage by promoting unrealistic credit products. Understanding how real credit approvals work can help you avoid holiday-season traps.

Scam ads frequently target people seeking financial support, especially with credit cards or personal loans. Many misleading ads promise “instant approval” or “no credit checks,” but these claims violate how real credit products work.

Opening a legitimate credit card requires a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily affects your credit score. Your average account age may also change. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains how hard inquiries work, and Americor provides additional education on how credit scores work to help you spot unrealistic claims.

If You Have Already Been Scammed: What To Do Next

Getting scammed during the holidays can feel especially stressful when timelines, budgets, and gift plans are involved. Taking quick action can limit financial harm and help you regain control before the new year. 

Scammers often continue using stolen information until the victim intervenes. Immediately contact your bank or credit card issuer to freeze or replace compromised cards. 

Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. If your personal information may have been exposed, IdentityTheft.gov provides step-by-step recovery support.

Recommended steps include:

• Contact your bank or card issuer
• Freeze or replace your card
• Update relevant passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Review your credit reports
• Report the scam to the FTC
• Inform friends or family so they can stay cautious

Protect Your Finances With Trusted Support

The holidays should be a time to enjoy family, celebrate traditions, and look forward to a fresh start, not worry about scams or overwhelming debt. If high-interest balances are adding stress to your season, Americor is here to help. Our team provides clear, trustworthy support so you can move into the new year with confidence.

As America’s trusted source for debt relief solutions, we aim to empower you with financial knowledge that can lead to informed decisions, whether it’s about savings, investments, or managing debt.

If your debt has become unmanageable and you have difficulty making your debt payments each month, then you should consider a free consultation call with one of our certified Debt Consultants, who can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.

By taking proactive steps today, you can put an end to your financial stress and work towards a brighter financial future. 

Remember, there is always hope for debt relief, and our team of experienced professionals are ready to guide you on your journey to regaining control of your finances.

For more information on Americor’s debt relief services, contact us today to see how we can help you eliminate your debts, and get on the fast-track to becoming completely debt-free!