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Tis the season to shop online!

November 17, 2025

For many, the start of the holiday season is a time to head online, buy gifts and hunt down. But even the savviest shoppers can fall prey to holiday scams.

According to a new survey from Mastercard and the Harris Poll, 77% of European consumers admit to having encountered a scam attempt in the past year, underscoring how the need to stay safe online is more important than ever. 

Whilst online shopping provides convenience, it also opens opportunities for scammers to trick shoppers with fake websites and purchases that never arrive.

European consumers are aware of the danger — 64% agree that holiday scams are more sophisticated than regular season scams. But the pressure to find the right gift, fast, often leads to risky decisions. 72% of European shoppers admit to buying from unfamiliar websites during the holidays, and only half do meaningful research before clicking “buy.” A quarter admits to doing little or no research at all.

Trust signals matter. Shoppers are quick to abandon websites that don’t feel secure: Nearly half (43%) say they’d avoid a site with no secure payment indicators, and almost a third (29%) won’t buy if there are limited payment options. Boomers are especially vigilant, with most saying these red flags are enough to make them walk away from a website during the holiday season.

The other biggest red flags that make shoppers pause? Prices that seem to good to be true (51%), poor spelling or grammar on the website (51%), and websites looking unprofessional or poorly designed (45%). Unfortunately, 14% have had items that have never arrived, and 10% have received counterfeit products in past seasons.

All these risks come with a monetary cost as 29% admit to money due to a scam when shopping for the holidays, including nearly half of Gen Z (45%) and Millennials (40%). 

By scanning billions of transactions in real time, Mastercard has stopped $50 billion in fraud over the past three years, monitors 32 million risk events daily, and has harnessed gen AI to detect compromised cards twice as fast.

This holiday season we are sharing our top tips to help consumers stay safe online: 

1. Lock it down with strong passwords

Think of your password like the key to your front door- would you make a copy for every stranger? Use a unique one for each account, mixing letters, numbers and symbols. Skip the pet names and birthdays – cybercriminals guess those first. A password manager can help you remember them all. 

2. Double up with two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even the best password can be stolen. Two-factor authentication adds a second lock- like a code sent to your phone- making it much harder for thieves to break in. Enable multi-factor authentication for your accounts whenever possible.

3. Online shop where it’s safe

Always make sure the website address begins with https:// and displays a padlock icon before you enter any personal or payment information. If it’s missing or looks sketchy, don’t risk it. Your secure checkout starts with spotting the signs of a safe site.

4. Don't fall for “too good to be true”

Scammers often lure buyers with unrealistic prices for high-demand items. If you’re shopping from an unfamiliar retailer, check online reviews and confirm they have a legitimate business presence.

5. Share less, stay safer

Be mindful of how much personal data you provide online. Only fill in the fields that are necessary for the purchase. Mastercard’s tokenization technology helps protect your card details by replacing them with a secure digital token, so the actual card number is never shared with the merchant.

6. Watch your wallet in real-time

Keep tabs on your bank and card statements to catch suspicious charges early. Set up instant alerts via text or app so you’ll know immediately if something smells fishy. Think of it as having your own personal financial watchdog.

7. Don’t get fooled by AI tricks

Scammers are now using AI to create fake voices, photos, and videos that look real. If someone pressures you for an urgent payment—even if it “sounds” like a friend—verify through a trusted phone number or contact before acting.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com