Open two pages online: big-name retailer and mystery website you’ve never heard of. Same product, same photos — one normal price, the other 75% off with a flashing timer. Which one’s real? Most of the time, the “deal” is a trap.
In the next few minutes, we’ll walk you through how these fakes are built, why they’re so convincing, and the simple steps that block them before you ever type your card number.
Table of Contents
What is Holiday 100?
Holiday 100 is Google’s list of the most-searched gift ideas during the holiday shopping season. Google releases this list every year, and it includes things lots of people want (popular gadgets, toys, beauty items, and home gear).
But that same popularity also gives scammers a roadmap: they set up copycat stores and ads that look like real brands and display huge “limited-time” discounts to lure people in. Police and consumer groups warn that this happens every holiday season.
How a Fake “Holiday 100” Deal Really Plays Out
- You see the ad. It appears in your Facebook/Instagram feed or as a Google ad. The price is far below big-name stores.
- The site looks real at a glance. It uses stolen brand photos and logos. The countdown timer says “Sale ends in 10:00.” Reviews look perfect — and generic.
- Payment is limited. They push debit, P2P apps (like Zelle), gift cards, or “wire only.” (Scammers prefer methods that are hard to reverse.)
- After checkout… nothing. You either get a fake tracking link, a random shipment, or a cheap counterfeit. Refunds never arrive.
- Bonus traps. A week later you might get a text with a link saying “pay a delivery fee / unpaid postage to release your package.” That link steals more of your info.
Save Money and Stress Less in 60 Seconds (do these in order)
1) URL test: Type the store’s name into your browser yourself. Watch for extra words, odd spellings, or weird endings. (Example: “brand-us-sale-shop[dot]co”).
2) Price reality check: Compare with one or two major retailers. If it’s dramatically cheaper, suspect scam until proven otherwise.
3) Contact test: Look for a real street address and phone number. No address or a copy-pasted “About” page = walk away.
4) Reviews test: Don’t trust reviews on the site itself. Search “[Store] reviews” or check independent review sites. If comments say the order was never delivered, don’t shop on that site.
5) Policy test: Open the Shipping & Returns page. Walk away if it’s vague, says “All sales final,” indicates very long shipping times (20 – 45 business days), or makes you pay to return items outside the U.S.
6) Payment test: Use a credit card (best protection). Avoid debit, gift cards, crypto, wires, or P2P to strangers.
Pro Tip: don’t get hooked by delivery texts
During gift season, you’ll see more “Your package is delayed” or “Pay a fee to release” texts. Do not tap links. Go to the carrier’s official app/site or your original order email to track packages. Report fakes to spam@uspis.gov.
Safe Ways to Shop The Trends Without Getting Burned
- Go brand-first. If you saw a deal in an ad, verify it on the brand’s official site or list of authorized sellers.
- Use your browser, not the ad. Search the product name yourself; don’t follow the ad’s link.
- Keep receipts & order numbers. They help your bank dispute charges fast if needed. (Credit cards have the strongest protection.)
- Slow down on “must-have” items. If the last unit has been “ending soon” all week, that’s a sign the timer is fake.
Check These 4 Things Before Shopping
- Padlock + https:// in the address bar — This means the site uses encryption; it’s not a guarantee the store is legit, but without it you shouldn’t enter any personal or payment info.
- Normal price (not 70–90% off across the whole store) — Huge across-the-board discounts are a classic fake-store sign, so compare the price with one or two major retailers before you buy.
- Clear return policy you actually understand — A real store explains how to return, who pays, and the deadlines in plain language; vague rules or “All sales final” are red flags.
- Real address/phone you can verify — Look for a street address and working phone number, then check the address on Maps and call the number — if you get no answer, it’s most likely a fake.
If You Already Clicked Or Paid — Do This Now
- Call your card issuer right away — Use the number on the back of your card or in your bank’s app, say the purchase was a scam, and ask to block the card and start a chargeback. Speed matters because pending charges are easier to stop.
Paid by debit/Zelle/gift card? Contact your bank or the gift-card issuer immediately — refunds are harder, so acting fast is key.
- Change passwords you reused — If you used the same password on that site and elsewhere, change it everywhere and turn on two-step verification. If you typed your email + password on a suspicious page, change your email password first.
- Report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC) or IC3.gov (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center)
Futureproof gives you clear, do-this-now instructions to block scammers, from stronger passwords to two-step verification and more. Get started now to get year-round protection.
Your Best Line of Defense? Take Your Time
Scammers sell speed. Your best strategy is slowing the moment down — on purpose. Give every “can’t-miss” deal one extra minute and watch most traps fall apart.
Think of it as a budget for attention, not just money. If a store can’t survive sixty seconds of checking — its name, its price, its returns, its address — it doesn’t deserve your dollars.
Adopt one rule for the season: If it’s worth buying today, it’s worth verifying today. Real stores pass that test without drama. Fake ones need timers, urgency, and silence.
At Futureproof, Kevin makes online safety feel human with clear steps, real examples, and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
