A December report cites FTC data and experts warning that scammers exploit holiday urgency with fake storefronts, phishing texts, and bogus coupons, building on record consumer losses in 2024. Consumers are urged to avoid sites requesting odd payment methods and to contact banks quickly if scammed, with guidance on dispute and reporting options.

Reporting on December consumer protection guidance emphasizes that the seasonal uptick in scams is predictable and amplified by last year's record consumer losses reported to the FTC. Experts and consumer advocates told readers that fraudsters use fake storefronts, phishing texts, bogus coupons, and social‑engineered delivery notices to create urgency and extract payment or credentials. The piece walks through concrete actions shoppers can take: verify seller domains and phone numbers, avoid payment methods that bypass bank protections such as gift cards or direct cryptocurrency transfers, use credit cards where possible, and enable two‑factor authentication on retail accounts. It also outlines immediate steps for victims: contact the financial institution to freeze or dispute charges, change compromised passwords, and file reports with the FTC and local law enforcement. The reporting stresses prevention through skepticism of time‑limited offers and using official retailer apps or verified webpages for purchases, while highlighting available dispute, recovery and reporting resources to limit losses and assist investigations during the busy holiday shopping period.