Halloween is the season of spooky costumes, haunted houses and creepy tales — but there’s one kind of fright that no one wants: falling for a scam. While you’re stocking up on candy or helping your kids pick the perfect costume, scammers are lurking in the shadows, waiting to trick unsuspecting victims.
From fake costume websites to phony fundraising calls, here are five scary scams to watch out for this Halloween.
1. The costume caper
You’ve found the perfect costume online. It’s unique, it’s affordable and it even ships in time for your party. The only problem? The website is a total fake.
Scammers create phony costume websites using stolen images, fake reviews and rock-bottom prices to lure in Halloween shoppers. You might pay for a costume that never arrives or receive a cheap knockoff that looks nothing like the photo. Now you’re out of a costume, plus the money you spent on it.
Stay safe:
- Stick to reputable retailers or sites you’ve used before.
- Watch out for poor grammar, limited contact info or sketchy return policies.
- Always check for HTTPS in the URL and read reviews before ordering (preferably those that are verified by the trusted site).
2. The haunted house ticket scam
Excited to visit the hottest haunted house or fall festival in town? Scammers know it — and they’ll sell you fake tickets on social media or event sites. Victims only learn the truth when they’re turned away at the gate.
This trick is especially common on community boards like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or group chats. Scammers may use stolen images, fake ticket PDFs or urgent language like “only 2 left!” to pressure buyers.
Stay safe:
- Only buy tickets from official event websites or trusted ticketing platforms.
- Be skeptical of private sellers offering deep discounts.
- If meeting someone in person to buy tickets, bring a friend and choose a safe, public location.
3. The phantom charity call
Halloween is also a popular time for fake fundraising scams. You might get a phone call, email or text asking for donations to help sick kids, fund community events or provide Halloween fun for underprivileged families. Before you reach for your wallet, though, remember: Just because it tugs at your heartstrings doesn’t mean it’s legit. Scammers love to prey on generosity, especially during festive seasons.
Stay safe:
- Don’t donate on the spot. Ask for the organization’s name and check them out at Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau.
- Never give payment info over the phone unless you’ve verified the source.
- If it’s a cause you care about, go directly to the official site to donate.
4. The trick-or-treat text
In this scam, you receive a text message that reads something like this: “You’ve just won a $500 gift card for being a loyal Halloween shopper!” It looks tempting, but clicking the link in the message could lead to malware being installed on your device, a phishing page or a request for personal information.
Stay safe:
- Don’t click on links from unknown numbers or unfamiliar senders.
- Delete any suspicious texts that ask for personal or financial info.
- If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
5. The fake Halloween storefront
Pop-up Halloween stores seem to appear overnight — and so do scam pop-up websites. Some look like they’re affiliated with well-known chains (like Spirit Halloween) but are actually copycat sites collecting your payment info. These sites advertise clearance sales, hard-to-find items or exclusive merchandise. In reality, they’re tricking you into handing over your credit card number or downloading harmful files.
Stay safe:
- Double-check the website URL before making a purchase.
- Search for reviews or complaints about the site.
- Use a credit card (not debit) for extra fraud protection.
Have a safe, festive and fraud-free Halloween — and don’t forget to share these tips with your fellow ghosts and ghouls!
