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Grandparents can easily fall victim to the “Hot Toy” Scam during the holidays

Here are some tips for staying out of trouble

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
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Photo by Rebecca Clarke on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • Each holiday season, a handful of toys become instant must-haves and sell out just as quickly.
  • For 2025, experts at CNET and Toy Insider spotlight high-tech, interactive favorites.
  • But scammers know these toys are in demand, and they’re ready with fake websites and too-good-to-be-true deals.

If you’re hoping to delight a grandchild with the perfect holiday surprise this year, you’re not alone – 2025’s toy lists are already filled with buzzworthy picks. From Po the AI Story Bear, which spins customized tales, to Gabby’s Dollhouse Meow-mazing Interactive Dollhouse, tech-driven playthings are topping wish lists nationwide. 

Kids are also eyeing Furby DJ Furby Rainbow, Disney’s Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush, and hands-on options like Kanoodle Brain Teasers, Magna-Tiles Rail Racers Deluxe, Cry Babies, and LEGO Technic Ferrari FXX K sets.

But as demand skyrockets, so do scams. Consumer advocates are warning shoppers – especially grandparents – about a surge in fake online listings promising sold-out toys at bargain prices.

How the scam hooks victims

Picture this: you’ve checked every local store but can’t find that “must-have” toy your grandchild asked for. A quick Google search or a tempting ad on Facebook leads you to a professional-looking website that claims to have plenty in stock. The photos look real, the price is amazing, and the “flash sale” countdown urges you to buy now.

Many consumers who followed that path have said they never received what they ordered.

  • Some received cheap knockoffs instead of the high-quality toys they expected.
  • Others saw their money disappear when the seller vanished after checkout.
  • And in some cases, scammers attempted to charge victims multiple times after the initial purchase.

An Ohio shopper lost $46 chasing a popular Labubu toy. Another paid $65 for a “Stitch” plush that never arrived, plus four more attempted charges she didn’t authorize. When she tried to contact the store, she only received automated replies.

These schemes are widespread, and grandparents – often shopping with urgency and generosity – are common targets.

Tips to avoid ‘hot toy’ scams

  1. Be extra cautious with social media ads.
    Scammers track trends and know what toys you’re searching for. Instead of clicking a promoted link, open a browser and type in the retailer’s address yourself.
  2. Stick to trusted retailers.
    Buying directly from well-known stores or verified sellers drastically lowers your risk. Fake sites can mimic real ones, so take time to double-check the URL.
  3. Treat very low prices as a red flag.
    If a hot toy is sold out everywhere but one obscure site claims to have it for half the price, assume it’s a scam.
  4. Research unfamiliar companies.
    Before entering your name, address, or credit card number, make sure the business has a working customer service number and real contact information.

Bottom line for grandparents

Your grandchild’s holiday joy is priceless, but that doesn’t mean you should overpay or fall victim to a scam. With a little caution and some savvy shopping, you can track down this year’s most popular toys safely and confidently.

If something feels off, trust your instincts—and the rule that’s as old as holiday shopping itself: If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.