North Dakota BBB: These Are 2025’s 12 Scams Of Christmas

Many North Dakotans feel the hurt during the holiday season. We're buying decorations, food for the family, and gifts for the Christmas holiday. We dare not look at our bank accounts this time of year.

It's true we're spending a lot of money, and that's fine; we're doing it for the ones we love, but if there's one thing we don't want to do, it's lose money.

The Better Business Bureau published a 2025 list titled "The Naughty List: 12 Scams of the Holidays."

Here are the scams you really need to look out for this holiday season.

1. Misleading Social Media Ads

Always research before you buy. BBB Scam Tracker receives daily reports of people paying for items that they never receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the one advertised.

One wrong click, and you may be in big trouble this holiday season.

2. Social Media Gift Exchanges

The older version was called "Secret Sister." Newer versions of this scam revolve around exchanging bottles of wine or bourbon; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another twist asks you to submit your email to a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to 'pay it forward.'

The source also says there was a "Secret Santa Dog" version of this scam. Don't fall for it!

3. Holiday Apps

Apple's App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish lists.

Review those privacy policies and terms and conditions! These apps could contain malware. If it's easier, you can always read the reviews.

(Also Read: 2025 Report: North Dakota One Of The Worst States For Porch Pirates)

4. Fake Toll Collection Texts

Ah, yes. It's always interesting to get these toll-collection texts in North Dakota, considering we don't have any tolls in the state. Try again, scammers!

5. Free Gift Cards

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails and texts requesting personal information to receive free gift cards.

The source says they may also use pop-up ads that say you're a randomly selected winner of a prize. Mark those as phishing or junk, and don't click any links.

6. Temporary Holiday Jobs

The source reports this was the most risky scam for people ages 18 to 34 in 2024. While holiday jobs do pop up all over Bismarck, Mandan, and North Dakota as a whole, watch out for applications that request money, credit card info or any personal information.

7. Imposter Scams

When shopping online, be on the lookout for fake, look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, and sharing private information.

It's convenient, you see an ad for one of your favorite brands on Facebook, so you think, what the heck, I'll just order it right now. Before you go through with any purchase, make sure you're on a verified page. The source says, when in doubt, go to the business's website and look for it's legitimate social media handles.

8. Fake Charities

This is a big one in North Dakota, especially around the holidays. We always look for ways to be "North Dakota Nice," but don't get bested because of your giving nature. Before donating, do your research!

9. Fake Shipping Notifications

This is an easy one to fall for; you get a text or email saying your package is on the way, and you get excited and click the link for tracking info. The source says North Dakotans need to beware of this as a potential scam.

Scammers use this surge to send phishing emails and texts about package deliveries with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees.

10. Advent Calendars

Oddly enough, the BBB received a lot of complaints specifically about Advent calendars. Customers ordered them but never received them, while others complained about incomplete orders and poor product quality.

11. Holiday Wishlist Items

Look out for resale websites and Facebook marketplace.

Low-priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs.

The source also says this applies to this year's hottest toys.

12. Puppy Scams

Last but not least, puppy scams are all the rage this year.

80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake.

You might want to add a furry friend to your household this holiday season, but look out, and make sure you see the pet in person before making a purchase. A better way to go would be to adopt through our local shelters and rescues.

Hopefully reading through this list helps you avoid any oopsies and calls to the local authorities.

Happy holidays!