The holiday shopping season should feel exciting, but for scammers, it’s rush hour. And this year, one trick is hitting more inboxes and phones than ever: the fake refund scam. If you’ve ever seen an unexpected “Your refund has been issued,” “Your payment failed” or “We owe you money” email or text during November or December, it wasn’t an accident.

Scammers know you’re buying more, tracking more packages and juggling more receipts than at any other time of year. That chaos makes fake refund scams incredibly effective and incredibly dangerous.

Here’s why these scams are spreading, how to spot them instantly and the one thing you can do today to stop scammers from targeting you in the first place.

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FBI WARNS EMAIL USERS AS HOLIDAY SCAMS SURGE

Why refund scams skyrocket during the holidays

Scammers strike when Americans are distracted, rushed and making dozens of purchases. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday gift-buying create the perfect storm:

1) You’re expecting legitimate refunds

Holiday shopping means:

• Items going out of stock
• Orders getting canceled
• Packages arriving late
• Prices changing
• Stores offering “Best Price Guarantee” refunds.

Scammers know this. When you’re already expecting refund emails, their fake ones blend right in.

2) You’re spending more, which means bigger targets

A study shows that this year, Americans will spend 3.6% more than the previous year on holiday shopping. A $200 to $500 purchase is completely normal during this season. Other reports show a decrease in spending, but note that people spend, on average, over $600 during the Black Friday promotions alone.

Expenses stack up, new things arrive, some get returned and a “$249 refund issued” message doesn’t look suspicious—it looks plausible. But it’s crucial you check if that message is real. Never click any links without a thorough look at the email address, name and content of the message.

3) Your inbox is overflowing

Have you been eyeing a new home appliance? Or a present for a loved one? Have you saved anything in your cart just to see if the price drops? Thanks to Black Friday, your inbox is probably filled with:

• Promotional codes
• Offers
• Shipping updates
• Order confirmations
• Receipts
• Return notifications.

It’s easy to lose track of your orders and packages amidst the influx of emails. And when you’re skimming more than 200 promotions, scams become harder to catch.

4) They know exactly what you purchased

Scammers get their information from data brokers, companies that collect, package and sell your personal information. Your profile can include anything from your name, contact information, to your purchase history and even your financial situation.

In general, data brokers and shopping apps sell patterns, including:

• Where you shop
• How much you spend
• What categories you buy
• Recent purchases
• Your email, phone number and address.

And scammers buy that information to craft compelling and personalized attacks. That’s why their fake refund emails often mimic retailers you actually used.

HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

How the fake refund scam works

Scammers usually follow one of three playbooks:

“Your refund is ready-verify your account.” You click a link, and you’re taken to what looks like Amazon, Walmart, UPS, Target or Best Buy. And when you enter your login, scammers can steal your credentials by manipulating you.

“We overcharged you. Click here for your refund.” It asks for your debit card number, your bank login and your PayPal credentials. Or worse: it installs malware that steals them automatically.

Phone version: “We issued a refund by mistake.” You get a call from someone pretending to be Amazon customer service, PayPal support, or even your bank. They say they “refunded too much money” and need you to send back the difference. Some even screen-share to drain bank accounts in real time.

These scams cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars every year. The FTC reports that impostor scams (which are related to online shopping) accounted for the second-highest reported losses, resulting in $2.95 billion being lost in 2024.

What these emails look like so you can spot them fast

Scammers are getting more sophisticated. Fake refund messages often include:

• Your correct name
• A real store logo
• A real order amount
• A believable order number
• “Click to view refund” buttons
• Deadline pressure like “respond within 24 hours.”

Here’s the giveaway: No legitimate retailer requires you to enter banking info to receive a refund, ever.

Note that scams often ask you to:

• Confirm a payment
• Verify personal info
• Log in through a link
• Provide banking details
• Download an invoice.

The simplest way to protect yourself before the holiday peak

Deleting your data manually from data broker sites is technically possible, but extremely tedious. Some require government ID uploads, faxed forms, multiple follow-up requests and updates every 30 to 90 days because they relist your data.

This is why most people almost never do it. A data removal service, however, automates the entire process. These services:

• Identify which broker sites have your info
• Send official deletion requests on your behalf
• Force them to remove your data
• Continually monitor and re-request removals
• Block brokers from relisting you

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

How to protect yourself this season (3 quick steps)

Remember to follow these few simple steps to safeguard yourself against targeted scams.

1) Never click refund links in emails or texts

Go directly to your retailer’s website and check your actual order history. Verify the email address of the sender and only communicate with official representatives of the retailer.

2) Turn on multi-factor authentication

Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for all of your accounts. With the help of 2FA, you’ll need to authorize logins via email, text message or generated PINs. So, even if you accidentally enter your password somewhere fake, 2FA can stop the breach.

3) Limit how scammers can find you

This is the part most people skip—and it’s why they stay targets. Removing your personal info from data broker sites cuts off scammers’ access to your real details. A data removal service automates and makes the process ongoing, which is why I recommend it to my most privacy-conscious readers.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Refund scams explode during the holiday shopping season because scammers rely on two things: Chaos in your inbox and your personal data being sold behind your back. You can’t stop scammers from sending fake emails, but you can stop them from targeting you specifically. Before peak holiday shopping hits, take a moment to clean up your data trail. You’ll end up with fewer scams, fewer risks and far more peace of mind.

Have you received a suspicious refund email or text this season? Share your experience so we can help warn others in the comments below. Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Rad Power Bikes, the once dominant electric bicycle brand in the US, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week as it seeks to sell of its company. The move comes less than a month after Rad Power said it could not afford to recall its older e-bike batteries that had been designated a fire risk by the US Consumer Protection Safety Commission.

The bankruptcy, which was first reported by Bicycle Retailer, was filed in US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington, near the company’s headquarters in Seattle. Rad Power lists its estimated assets at $32.1 million and estimated liabilities at $72.8 million. Its inventory of e-bikes, spare parts, and accessories is listged at $14.2 million, Bicycle Retailer says.

It’s a stunning reversal for the once leading e-bike company in the US. Mike Radenbaugh founded the company in 2015 after several years of selling custom-made e-bikes to customers on the West Coast. Rad Power quickly grew to over 11 distinct models, including the fat-tire RadRover, the long-tail RadWagon, and the versatile RadRunner. Rad Power Bikes raised an approximate total of $329 million across several funding rounds, primarily in 2021, with major investments from firms like Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, and T. Rowe Price.

But in the wake of the post-covid bike boom, things started to go south. There were supply chain disruptions, safety recalls, several rounds of layoffs, and executive turnover. Last month, Rad Power said it was facing “significant financial challenges” that could lead to its imminent closure without a cash infusion.

The CPSC warning apparently was the nail in the coffin. The company’s older batteries could “unexpectedly ignite and explode,” the agency warned, citing 31 fires, including 12 reports of property damage totaling $734,500. There weren’t any injuries, but the company said it couldn’t afford a costly recall.

Rad Power could still live on if its able to find a buyer for its assets and brand. Dutch e-bike make VanMoof was able to find a buyer following its 2023 bankruptcy. And Belgium’s Cowboy is in talks to be acquired by a French holding company of several bike brands. Rad Power will continue to operate as it restructures its debts under court supervision, and in a statement to Bicycle Retailer said it will continue to sell bikes and work with customers and vendors as it moves forward with the process.

Chrome on Android now offers a fresh way to digest information when your hands are busy or your eyes need a break.

A new update powered by Google Gemini can turn written webpages into short podcast-style summaries. Two virtual hosts chat about the content, making it feel easier to follow during your commute or while you multitask.

This upgrade builds on Chrome’s long-standing read-aloud tool, yet now adds a more natural and lively delivery. It does not work on every website, so some pages will still use the original word-for-word reading. When the AI option appears, though, the audio feels polished and smooth.

Below is how to try it on your Android phone right now.

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HOW TO DISABLE GEMINI AI ON ANDROID AND KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR APPS

Update Chrome before you start

First, make sure Chrome is current in the Play Store by opening the Play Store, searching for Google Chrome and tapping Update if it appears. The AI podcast feature works with version 140.0.7339.124 or newer, so confirm you have at least that version installed. Once you finish the update, open Chrome and pick any webpage with text you want to hear.

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open the More menu

• Tap the More icon or the three vertical dots in the upper right corner. This reveals a set of options that control how Chrome displays or reads the page.

Select Listen to this page

• Choose Listen to this page. You will see a small Generating AI playback banner at the bottom. The processing is fast, so you will not wait long.

Hear the AI hosts discuss the page

• Chrome will start a mini podcast with two voices talking through the content. You can tap the playback bar to pause, rewind or jump ahead. The panel stays on screen and follows you as you scroll.

Switch to standard playback when you want

• The AI audio keeps going even if you leave the webpage. If you prefer a traditional word-for-word readback, tap the AI playback icon in the lower left and pick Standard Playback.

ANDROID EMERGENCY LIVE VIDEO GIVES 911 EYES ON THE SCENE

What this means to you

This feature can make long articles easier to absorb when you are on the move. You get a quick, conversational rundown without having to read a full page. It also helps you revisit information faster since the controls work like any audio player. If you enjoy podcasts, this tool gives you a familiar way to stay informed without draining your attention.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Chrome’s AI podcast feature brings a new layer of convenience to Android. It saves time, reduces eye strain and turns everyday browsing into a hands-free audio experience. Since it still supports the standard read-aloud mode, you can switch back anytime.

Would you use AI hosts to read your favorite websites, or do you prefer the classic readback style? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report 
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. 

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.