As Ohioans shop, travel, and donate during the Christmas season, Secretary of State Frank LaRose is urging residents to stay alert against a surge of sophisticated scams.
Criminals are taking advantage of busy schedules, online shopping, and year-end generosity to steal personal information and money.
Between 2020 and 2024, Ohioans reported a total of $50.5 billion in losses to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
“Scammers count on the chaos of the Christmas season to catch people off guard,” said LaRose. “A few seconds of caution can save thousands of dollars—and a lot of heartache.”
LaRose highlighted the top five holiday scams currently targeting Ohioans, along with tips to avoid them:
- Fake Shipping Alerts – Emails or texts claiming to be from Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, or UPS may ask you to “reschedule” a delivery. Tip: Always type the tracking number into the official website instead of clicking links.
- “Boss Needs Gift Cards” Urgency Scam – Fraudsters pose as supervisors or HR, requesting quick purchases of gift cards. Tip: Verify any financial request directly with the person, never rely solely on email or messaging.
- Charity Scams – Deepfake videos or fake pleas for cryptocurrency donations target generous donors. Tip: Only give through verified links on official charity websites.
- “Free Gift” or Loyalty Points Phishing – Messages claiming you won a gift card are often fake. Tip: If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win. Report suspicious messages immediately.
- Public Wi-Fi “Evil Twin” Hotspots – Fake Wi-Fi networks in malls, airports, or coffee shops aim to steal personal data. Tip: Use your phone’s hotspot or a secure VPN and avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi.
LaRose urges Ohioans to share these warnings with friends, family, and co-workers—especially those who may be more vulnerable to online fraud.
For more cybersecurity tips and resources, visit the Secretary of State’s Cybersecurity Basics for Small Businesses.
