How to Protect Yourself from the Holiday Fraud Surge

Stay merry, bright, and scam-free this season.

The holidays bring a lot of wonderful things—family gatherings, festive travel, gift-giving, and more. But while we’re busy making memories, scammers are busy making moves.

Every year, financial institutions see a sharp rise in fraud during the holiday season. With more online shopping, higher transaction volumes, and evolving scam tactics, fraudsters use this time of year to slip through the cracks. At Alta Vista Credit Union, your financial safety comes first, and we want to help you stay protected during this busy season.

Why Fraud Surges During the Holidays

Here’s what makes this time of year especially vulnerable:

1. Higher Transaction Volume

More shopping—online and in store—means more opportunities for scammers to blend in with legitimate transactions. Fraudulent charges can hide within the seasonal spending rush.

2. Stretched Detection Systems

The spike in activity doesn’t just affect shoppers—financial institutions process significantly more payments and transfers, making it tougher to catch every suspicious action in real time.

3. Shifts in Spending Habits

During the holidays, people travel more, shop more, and send more money. These changes can confuse traditional fraud detection models, which rely heavily on consistent spending patterns.

4. Rise in Digital Payments

With so much holiday shopping happening online, card-not-present attacks, phishing attempts, and account takeovers increase dramatically.

5. Check Fraud on the Rise

Mail theft peaks during the holidays. Stolen checks and forged signatures are more common as scammers target holiday cards, packages, and mailed payments.

6. First-Party Fraud

Not all fraud is external. Some individuals take advantage of return policies by disputing real charges, claiming missing deliveries, or making purchases they never intend to pay for.

7. Phishing, Vishing & Smishing

Scammers know you’re expecting shipping updates, online receipts, and holiday promotions—so they imitate them. Fake texts, calls, and emails are designed to trick you into giving up sensitive information.

8. P2P Payment Scams

Apps like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are convenient—but scammers impersonate friends, family, or even your credit union to convince you to send funds that can’t be recovered.

How You Can Stay Protected

The good news? A few simple steps can dramatically reduce your risk.

1. Stay Informed

Know the red flags:

• Messages that feel “urgent”

• Links from unknown senders

• Requests for verification codes

• Emails with spelling errors or odd grammar

When in doubt—don’t click.

2. Use Strong Security Tools

Turn on:

• Multifactor authentication

• Real-time account alerts

• Secure mobile and online banking features

These small actions build a strong barrier between you and fraudsters.

3. Verify Before You Act

Whether it’s a delivery notice, a payment request, or a deal that seems “too good to be true,” take an extra moment to verify who’s contacting you.

4. Monitor Your Accounts

Check your transactions regularly, especially during the holidays. The faster suspicious activity is spotted, the faster it can be stopped.

Alta Vista Is Here to Help Keep Your Season Bright

Your safety is our priority—during the holidays and all year long. If you ever notice something unusual or receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Alta Vista Credit Union, contact us immediately.

Together, we can keep the holidays joyful, safe, and filled with peace of mind.