As the holiday season intensifies, authorities and financial institutions are issuing warnings about an increase in scams targeting consumers. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has highlighted the prevalence of 'smishing' scams, where fraudulent text messages purport to provide package tracking information to steal personal data. The FBI has also cautioned about tech support scams and government impersonation frauds. In the UK, Santander has reported that nearly £2 million was lost to scammers last Christmas, with the largest scam amounting to £600k, and scams ranging from fake football and Taylor Swift tickets to fraudulent transactions on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Consumers have been warned about advance fee scams, with one example involving a £1,700 payment made to secure a job offer via WhatsApp. In Cyprus, banks are alerting the public to a surge in online fraud during the festive period, with common scams involving text messages, social media platforms, phone calls, and emails. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves from these holiday scams.