Thanksgiving week isn’t just about early deals and turkey dinners anymore. It’s the start of one of the most chaotic weeks in payments. Behind the flood of online shoppers, fraudsters are quietly gearing up too—testing new tricks, targeting mobile payments, and taking advantage of the seasonal chaos.
This year, new fraud signatures are emerging fast. From fake gift card resellers to mobile-first scams that slip through automated filters, 2025’s Thanksgiving rush is shaping up to be one of the most complex in recent years. Here’s what merchants need to know to stay ahead, protect their accounts, and reduce chargebacks during the holiday season.
The Thanksgiving Fraud Spike: Why It’s Different Now
Thanksgiving used to be just a warm-up for Black Friday. Not anymore. The shopping surge now starts as early as the Wednesday before, with mobile transactions peaking late at night as shoppers race for “early access” deals.
Fraudsters know this. They blend in with legitimate deal hunters, using stolen cards and new device IDs to test small, quick purchases that don’t raise alarms. Many of these attempts happen in bursts—late Wednesday and early Thursday—right before merchants tighten fraud filters for Black Friday.
These “rush-hour” attacks often slip past standard detection systems because the traffic spike looks normal. It’s one of the key reasons merchants need a strong holiday season chargeback protection strategy in place before Thanksgiving week begins.
Common Fraud Patterns Emerging in 2025
1. Mobile Fraud Surge
This year, mobile fraud is rising faster than desktop. With one-click checkouts and stored payment info, fraudsters find it easier to mask identity changes. They use VPNs and device emulators to mimic real mobile shoppers, often striking during flash sales.
To prevent chargebacks from these attacks, merchants should analyze behavioral data—like checkout speed or device consistency—alongside traditional signals like IP and billing address.
2. Gift Card Resale Scams
Gift card fraud remains one of the top holiday scams. Fraudsters buy e-gift cards with stolen cards, then resell them for quick cash before the chargeback hits. This year, resellers are operating on smaller, private Telegram and Discord channels rather than public marketplaces, making detection harder.
Merchants can reduce chargebacks from these schemes by limiting instant delivery on new customers or flagging repeated high-value card purchases.
3. Refund Abuse and Return Fraud
A growing pattern in 2025 is “refund fraud,” where customers falsely claim items never arrived or request returns with counterfeit labels. While it may start as friendly fraud, it can escalate into organized refund networks during high-volume seasons.
Strong tracking integration and signature verification on high-value orders can go a long way in maintaining holiday season chargeback protection.
Real-Time Detection Tactics That Actually Work
Holiday fraud isn’t just faster—it’s smarter. Fraudsters now use automation to test dozens of stolen cards simultaneously, often mimicking customer patterns to bypass basic fraud filters. Merchants need adaptive detection that learns in real time.
Here’s what’s working this season:
- Velocity checks: Set limits on how many transactions can come from the same device, email, or IP in a short time.
- Behavioral biometrics: Track typing patterns and checkout rhythm to detect bots posing as shoppers.
- Layered data sources: Combine device fingerprinting, location tracking, and 3D Secure to build a stronger fraud profile.
Merchants using real-time monitoring can stop fraud attempts before they escalate into chargebacks, protecting both revenue and account standing.
Preparing Your Team Before the Rush
Fraud prevention isn’t just about tech—it’s about timing. Train your support and risk teams early in the week to spot red flags like:
- Multiple orders using similar card BINs
- New customers placing unusually high-value orders
- Gift card purchases during late-night hours
- Sudden delivery address changes on holiday week
A quick response time can prevent chargebacks before they reach your payment processor. Even one missed fraudulent order can trigger a chain of chargebacks that damage your merchant reputation.
Why Holiday Season Chargeback Protection Matters
A strong chargeback protection strategy isn’t optional during Thanksgiving week. Once fraud peaks, chargebacks can pile up quickly and put your account at risk. The Visa Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP) and Mastercard’s equivalent don’t make exceptions for holiday spikes—so prevention is the only safety net.
Using a system that tracks fraud signals in real time helps merchants reduce chargebacks, prevent false declines, and maintain good standing through the holidays. It’s the difference between a profitable season and a flagged account.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving week is a goldmine for both shoppers and scammers. The best defense is preparation: analyzing fraud data, setting clear rules, and testing protection tools before the flood starts.
New patterns in 2025 prove that fraudsters adapt fast, but so can merchants. With a solid holiday season chargeback protection plan, it’s possible to stay ahead, protect your revenue, and keep chargebacks under control even during the busiest shopping week of the year.
FAQ: Thanksgiving Holiday Season Chargeback Protection
Why does fraud increase during Thanksgiving shopping week?
Because transaction volumes skyrocket and teams are stretched thin, fraudsters take advantage of reduced monitoring and system overloads.
How can merchants prevent chargebacks during the holidays?
Use layered fraud tools, monitor suspicious behavior, and tighten filters on high-risk products like gift cards or electronics.
What are the most common fraud types during Thanksgiving?
Mobile fraud, refund abuse, account takeovers, and gift card scams are the top threats for 2025.
Can chargeback protection software really reduce chargebacks?
Yes. Systems that combine AI detection with real-time alerts can stop fraudulent transactions before they process, lowering chargeback rates significantly.
Is it too late to implement fraud protection for Thanksgiving week?
Not at all. Even last-minute adjustments like new velocity rules or updated risk filters can make a big difference.
Strengthen Your Protection with Chargeblast
If you want to keep chargebacks under control this season, Chargeblast makes it easier. It offers real-time chargeback alerts, AI-powered fraud detection, and automated dispute responses—all designed to help merchants reduce chargebacks during high-risk periods like Thanksgiving week.
Stay ahead of the fraud curve. Book a demo below and see how Chargeblast can protect your store before the next wave of holiday transactions hits.
