TL;DR: The scam window runs through October as Halloween shopping peaks, with a second wave of fake delivery texts arriving right as costume and decoration orders are actually in transit. Buy costumes from retailers with verifiable reviews and a real return policy, and check package status directly on the carrier's official site or app instead of clicking a link in a text.
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The scam window runs through October as Halloween shopping peaks, with a second wave of fake delivery texts arriving right as costume and decoration orders are actually in transit.
How the Scam Plays Out
Counterfeit costume shops advertise on social media with stolen product photos and never ship, while separate delivery-scam texts claim a package needs a small fee to be released, linking to a page that harvests payment details.
How to Protect Yourself
Buy costumes from retailers with verifiable reviews and a real return policy, and check package status directly on the carrier's official site or app instead of clicking a link in a text.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Holiday Package Delivery Scam Surge.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Home Buying Season Scams (Spring/Summer).
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
The scam window runs through October as Halloween shopping peaks, with a second wave of fake delivery texts arriving right as costume and decoration orders are actually in transit.
What tactics are used?
Counterfeit costume shops advertise on social media with stolen product photos and never ship, while separate delivery-scam texts claim a package needs a small fee to be released, linking to a page that harvests payment details.
How can I protect myself?
Buy costumes from retailers with verifiable reviews and a real return policy, and check package status directly on the carrier's official site or app instead of clicking a link in a text.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.