Holiday shopping scams spike, experts warn on fake pets, gift cards, and social media deals

Experts warn of a rise in holiday shopping scams, highlighting fake pet sales, gift card fraud, and misleading social media deals. Fraudulent breeders may demand unexpected fees, and gift card numbers can be stolen before purchase. Shoppers should be wary of unbelievable online deals and social media gift exchanges like "Secret Sister," which can be pyramid schemes. Conducting thorough research on sellers and avoiding offers that seem too good to be true can help prevent holiday scams.