FBI Warns of Surge in Holiday Email Scams Costing Victims Hundreds of Millions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the holiday shopping season reaches its peak, the FBI is sounding the alarm on a sharp increase in email scams targeting unsuspecting consumers. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost more than $785 million to non-payment and non-delivery scams during the holiday cycle and the months that follow, with credit card fraud adding another $199 million in losses.
These fraudulent schemes, which proliferate in November and December, prey on the rush and excitement of holiday shopping. Scammers send fake emails that mimic legitimate retailers or payment platforms, tricking victims into handing over money or sensitive information. The FBI highlights four major types of scams that spike during this time: non-delivery scams where buyers pay for items that never arrive; non-payment scams where sellers receive no payment after shipping goods; auction fraud involving misrepresented products; and gift card fraud, where criminals coerce victims into paying with prepaid cards.
“One click on a suspicious link can install malware that captures your name, password, and bank account number,” the FBI warns. This malware enables criminals to break into accounts faster than most people expect, often leaving victims unaware until unauthorized charges appear on their bank statements. The FBI’s alert underscores the importance of vigilance, advising consumers to watch for warning signs and slow down before clicking on any links.
Adding to the concern is a significant rise in account takeover scams. Since January 2025, IC3 has received over 5,100 complaints related to these attacks, with reported losses exceeding $262 million. These scams typically begin with social engineering tactics, where criminals impersonate bank employees, customer service representatives, or fraud investigators through fake emails, texts, or phone calls.
Victims are pressured to reveal login credentials, multi-factor authentication codes, or one-time passcodes. Criminals also create convincing phishing websites that resemble real banking or payroll portals, sometimes even purchasing search ads to appear at the top of search results. Once the victim inputs their information, scammers lock them out of their accounts and move money, often funneling transfers through cryptocurrency wallets to obscure the trail.
The FBI’s warnings come as holiday shopping creates a “perfect storm” for cybercriminals targeting popular email services such as Gmail and Outlook. The agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center continues to monitor these trends closely, urging consumers to remain cautious. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also recommends enabling multi-factor authentication and verifying the authenticity of any unexpected communications.
For those seeking guidance on protecting themselves, the FBI and CISA provide resources and tips to recognize and avoid scams. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious activity promptly through the IC3 complaint portal. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission offers advice on identifying phishing attempts and securing personal information.
As holiday scams evolve in sophistication, the FBI’s message is clear: vigilance and caution are essential to safeguard personal and financial information during the busiest shopping season of the year.
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