The Hidden Cost of Impulsive Holiday Purchases: Why Millennials Face Greater Cyber Threats

The holiday shopping season brings unbeatable deals—and equally unbeatable opportunities for scammers. According to Norton’s latest Holiday Fraud Survey, millennials are particularly vulnerable, with 70% willing to take risky shortcuts to snag high-demand gifts. But here’s what that actually means: compromised accounts, stolen identities, and financial losses that last long after the new year begins.

The Real Numbers Behind Holiday Scams

The data tells a sobering story. Roughly one in three Americans has already fallen victim to a holiday shopping scam, and the survey revealed that over half of those who encountered fraudulent schemes actually lost money. What makes this season especially dangerous isn’t just the volume of scams—it’s how aggressively risky consumer behavior amplifies the damage.

The culprits? Clicking suspicious social media ads, purchasing from unknown sellers online, entering payment details on unfamiliar platforms, and buying counterfeit goods ranked at the top of the list. Each of these decisions, made in the rush of seasonal shopping, opens doors for bad actors to access sensitive information.

Why We’re All Vulnerable When Shopping Too Fast

Here’s something Leyla Bilge, director of scam research at Norton, nailed perfectly: “Scammers thrive on pressure, distraction and emotional decision-making, and the holiday season delivers all three in spades.”

The numbers back this up. Sixty-two percent of Americans admitted they make impulse purchases during holiday sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday amplify this tendency—when discounts are massive and inventory is limited, our brains short-circuit rational thinking. We stop checking seller legitimacy. We skip security checks. We click links without reading them carefully. And that’s exactly when scammers strike hardest.

The sophistication of modern scams means that even security-conscious shoppers can stumble. When stress combines with urgency, you’re not just prone to risky financial decisions—you’re actively moving into the zone where fraud thrives.

Strategy One: Shop Early, Shop Smart

Waiting until mid-December to start shopping is basically handing scammers a winning hand. People who procrastinate are rushed, stressed, and desperate—the perfect psychological state for falling victim to fraud. By contrast, shopping in early November gives you breathing room to evaluate each purchase carefully.

Early November also coincides with the start of early Black Friday deals across retailers, so you’re not sacrificing discounts for safety. You’re simply redistributing that rush across more time, which fundamentally changes how your brain processes each transaction.

Strategy Two: Stick With Established Retailers

Not all online storefronts are created equal. Established platforms like Amazon and eBay, despite their scale, have built-in seller verification and buyer protection mechanisms that significantly reduce your risky exposure. However, even on these platforms, third-party sellers deserve scrutiny.

If you venture beyond the major retailers, do your homework: read reviews on Reddit, check the company’s history, look at customer feedback patterns. If something feels off, your instinct is probably right. AI tools might tell you a brand is legitimate, but always cross-reference their conclusion before trusting it completely.

The Takeaway

The holiday season doesn’t have to be a minefield of cyber threats. By shopping earlier, taking your time with purchasing decisions, and sticking to reputable sellers, you can dramatically reduce your exposure to fraud. Scammers are counting on your stress and distraction—don’t give it to them.