Trending Halloween Scams You Shouldn’t Fall for

The scariest thing this Halloween isn’t ghosts or ghouls — it’s scammers in disguise. From fake costume shops to phony “Spirit Halloween” giveaways, cyber tricksters are out to snatch more than just your candy. Here’s how to spot the scams before they come knocking.

In a nutshell: Scammers are out in full force this Halloween — from fake costume stores stealing your card info to “Spirit Halloween” giveaways asking for $10 “shipping.” If it looks spooky good, it’s probably fake. Always double-check URLs, skip too-good-to-be-true offers, and download the ScamAdviser app to stay safe.

Trick or Treat? More Like Trick or Scam

Halloween is supposed to be about candy and costumes — not credit card theft. But scammers love this time of year because everyone’s shopping online and looking for deals. Fake Halloween websites are popping up like jack-o’-lanterns on a porch, tricking shoppers into paying for costumes that never arrive.

Sites like aus-halloween.homicats.com have been spotted advertising “exclusive” Halloween events or costume sales. 

These pages look legit, often with flashy graphics, countdown timers, and spooky fonts — but they’re designed to steal your details, not sell you anything. Once you enter your payment info, poof! Your money — and data — vanish faster than a ghost in the night.

The “Free Spirit Halloween Goodie Box” Scam 

This one’s haunting social media right now. Posts claiming to be from Spirit Halloween are offering fans a free “goodie box” full of animatronics and decorations — all you need to do is fill out a survey and pay $10 for shipping.

Sounds fun, right? Wrong. These fake promotions are phishing scams in disguise. They ask for your name, address, and payment info “just to verify you’re real.” Once you hand it over, the scammers have everything they need to drain your wallet or sell your data.

A big red flag? They’re usually marked as sponsored posts — something Spirit Halloween itself has never done. The real company has even warned customers they’re not behind these giveaways.

Other Spooky Scams to Avoid This Halloween

• Fake costume websites: They’ll advertise brand-name costumes for cheap, but after you pay, you either get nothing or a low-quality knockoff.
• Phishing emails: Beware of “shipping confirmation” or “order delayed” messages for items you never bought. Clicking the link may lead to malware.
• Fake event invites: Some scammers promote “Halloween festivals” or “haunted house experiences” through social media. They’ll take your payment for tickets — but the event doesn’t exist.
• Malicious QR codes: Even trick-or-treat maps and online contests can hide links to phishing pages.

How to Stay Safe This Halloween

• Shop only on trusted sites. Check for reviews, contact info, and real payment options.
• Avoid links in social media ads. Go directly to the official brand’s website instead.
• Don’t pay for “free” offers. If it’s free, you shouldn’t need to pay for “verification” or “shipping.”
• Use secure payment methods. Credit cards are safer than debit or direct transfers.
• Double-check URLs. Scam sites often use extra words or odd domains (like “.homicats.com”).

FAQs
What’s the easiest way to spot a fake Halloween website?
Look for typos, weird domain names, and missing contact info. If it’s offering deals that sound too good to be true — like $5 costumes or exclusive giveaways — it’s likely fake.

Can I trust social media Halloween giveaways?
Most are scams. Real brands rarely ask for your credit card to send you a freebie.

What should I do if I have already entered my card details?
Contact your bank immediately and report it as fraud. Then monitor your account for strange transactions.

Is there a way to check if a website is safe before I buy?
Yes! Use the ScamAdviser app to instantly check a site’s trust score before entering any personal info.

Bottom line: Trick no Scam
Scammers are dressing up their tricks this Halloween — and they’re after your money, not your candy. Stay alert, think twice before you click, and don’t let a fake website give you a real fright.

Stay safe and smart this spooky season — download the ScamAdviser app today!