How Fake Return & Refund Scams Work — And How to Avoid Them This Season
Dec 03, 2025The holidays bring great deals… and a huge spike in fake return and refund scams. These scams often show up as emails or texts claiming there’s a problem with a recent order—usually something like:
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“Your recent purchase could not be delivered—update your info.”
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“Your refund is waiting—please verify your payment details.”
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“A return has been initiated for your order. Click here to confirm.”
They look real because scammers copy logos, tracking numbers, and even order formatting you might see from Amazon, Target, UPS, or USPS.
Why scammers use this tactic
During the holiday rush, most of us are ordering things—so a message like this doesn’t feel out of place. And once you click the link, scammers try to collect your personal details, login info, or credit card numbers.
How to stay safe
1. Never click a link in an unexpected message.
Go directly to the retailer’s website or app and check your order history there.
2. Watch for small red flags.
Misspelled words, odd phrasing, links that don’t match the real company domain, or urgent language (“act now!”) are all warning signs.
3. Check the sender address.
Most fakes come from random Gmail or foreign domains—never from actual retailers.
4. Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping and email accounts to prevent account takeovers.
5. If you’re unsure—ask.
Forward suspicious messages to me anytime. I’m happy to double-check them for you.
Holiday shopping should be fun, not stressful. A few quick checks can save you a lot of trouble this season.
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