The holiday season is a time of celebration, but it’s also prime time for cybercriminals to launch attacks. Scammers know that people are busier than usual, rushing to complete their shopping, waiting for shipping notifications, and less likely to double-check the legitimacy of an email or text message. Unfortunately, this makes everyone more vulnerable to phishing attacks and other cyber threats.
In this post, we’ll explore the red flags to watch out for during the holiday season to keep your business—and your personal information—safe.
Hook: This holiday season, don’t let scammers ruin the festive spirit. Watch for these red flags to avoid getting caught in their trap!
1. Phishing Emails Pretending to Be Shipping or Order Confirmations
One of the most common holiday scams is fake shipping or order confirmation emails. With millions of packages being delivered daily, it’s easy to fall for an email that says your package is on its way or that there’s been a problem with delivery. Scammers prey on this frenzy by sending fraudulent emails that look like they’re from legitimate companies like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx.
Red Flag: Emails or texts from services you haven’t used, generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” or urgent demands to “click here” to fix a delivery issue.
Hook: If the email seems off, it probably is. Double-check every shipping notification by going directly to the retailer’s website!
2. Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals on Social Media
Social media is flooded with ads during the holidays, and scammers know it. They create fake ads offering incredible deals—prices that are much lower than what you’d find elsewhere. Clicking on these ads could lead you to a fake website that looks legitimate, but is actually designed to steal your credit card information.
Red Flag: Deals that seem too good to be true, ads from unfamiliar companies, or websites with strange URLs.
Hook: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to well-known retailers and verify website URLs before making any purchase!
3. Text Messages Claiming “Urgent” Action Required
Another common scam during the holiday season involves phishing attempts via SMS (also called “smishing”). These messages often claim to be from delivery services, asking you to click a link to track a package or verify your delivery. Once you click the link, scammers can install malware or steal your login credentials.
Red Flag: Text messages that ask you to click a link or take immediate action—especially if you haven’t ordered anything recently.
Hook: Don’t click links from texts or emails—always go directly to the official website of the company to check your order or shipping status.
4. Gift Card Scams from “Bosses” or “Colleagues”
A particularly sneaky scam involves receiving an email or text message that seems to be from your boss, asking you to buy gift cards for a company event or as gifts for clients. These messages often have a sense of urgency, making you feel like you have to act fast. Once you purchase the gift cards and send the codes, the scammers disappear, leaving you out of pocket.
Red Flag: Urgent requests for gift cards, especially if it comes via email or text instead of a more official channel like your company’s internal messaging system.
Hook: If your boss asks for gift cards, verify it in person or by calling them directly—don’t fall for this common scam!
5. Urgent Emails Demanding Immediate Action
Scammers love to use fear and urgency to get you to act quickly without thinking. Emails that say you need to take action immediately—whether it’s confirming your password or resolving a delivery issue—are often phishing attempts. They aim to scare you into giving up personal information or downloading malware.
Red Flag: Emails that use language like “urgent,” “act now,” or threaten consequences if you don’t respond immediately.
Hook: Stay calm and verify the sender before you do anything. Scammers rely on panic—don’t give them the satisfaction!
6. Suspicious Attachments or Unfamiliar Invoices
Another common red flag is receiving an email with an unexpected attachment—like an invoice you didn’t expect. Clicking on these attachments can download malware onto your device, compromising your security. Always be wary of attachments from unknown senders, and verify any invoice by contacting the company directly.
Red Flag: Attachments labeled “invoice” from unfamiliar senders or companies you haven’t done business with.
Hook: If you didn’t order anything, don’t download that attachment. Call the company directly to verify any unexpected invoices.
7. Fake Shipping Notifications via QR Codes
This scam involves sending a package to your address with instructions to scan a QR code to arrange for a return or delivery correction. Scanning the code directs you to a malicious website designed to steal your information or install malware.
Red Flag: QR codes included in unexpected packages or emails asking you to scan them for more details.
Hook: Think of a QR code as a clickable link—don’t scan unless you’re 100% sure it’s legitimate.
Conclusion: Protect Yourself This Holiday Season
The holidays should be a time of celebration, not stress over cybersecurity. But with phishing scams and other cyber threats on the rise, it’s important to stay vigilant. By watching for these red flags, you can avoid falling into a scammer’s trap and keep your personal and business information safe.
