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To stay safe, try to find codes directly from the retailer and not third-party providers. Consider using an alternative email address that you don't typically use for daily, personal life.

Use discretion with social media ads
Despite general distrust in social media sites, shoppers continue to click on social ads to purchase holiday gifts. Thirty-seven percent of Americans have purchased a holiday gift from a social ad, with these buyers mainly purchasing through Facebook (60%), Instagram (48%) and TikTok (40%).

Clicking on social media ads can expose people to unnecessary risks such as phishing attacks, malware infections and privacy breaches. Fraudulent ads may lead to fake websites that steal personal information or payment details, and some may download harmful or malicious software onto your device. Despite these risks, 20% of people are still willing to click on a social media ad or email claiming to offer a gift.

Keep these scam tactics in mind while shopping online this holiday season, carefully vetting any deals that seem too good to be true.