12 Scams of Christmas: How Small Businesses Can Stay Safe This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but for cybercriminals, it’s open season on small businesses. With employees distracted by holiday plans and IT teams stretched thin handling end-of-year tasks, businesses become prime targets for cyberattacks. Don’t let scammers ruin your holiday cheer! By staying informed and taking the right precautions, you can protect your business and enjoy a secure holiday season.

*Share this PDF with your team to stay one step ahead of holiday scams and keep your business secure this season. Knowledge is the first line of defense!

Here’s a breakdown of the 12 most common scams to watch out for this Christmas season—and actionable steps you can take to defend your organization. Share these tips with your team and make cybersecurity a priority this holiday season.

1. Phishing Emails with Holiday Themes

Holiday-themed phishing emails often pose as charities, delivery services, or irresistible deals. These emails can trick employees into clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful attachments. Cybercriminals exploit holiday excitement and busy schedules to catch businesses off guard.

What You Can Do: Educate employees about red flags like unfamiliar sender addresses, poor grammar, or urgent requests. Use email filtering tools to block suspicious messages and verify links before clicking. Consider conducting regular phishing simulations to prepare your team.

2. Fake Invoices

Scammers send realistic-looking fake invoices, hoping your busy finance team will pay them without scrutiny. These often impersonate legitimate vendors or reference fake holiday orders. This scam thrives on a lack of internal verification processes.

What You Can Do: Verify all invoices, especially those from new or unfamiliar vendors. Use accounting software with fraud detection features and enforce strict approval processes. Train your finance team to recognize inconsistencies and double-check with vendors if there’s any doubt.

3. Gift Card Fraud

This scam involves fraudsters posing as company executives, requesting employees to purchase gift cards for clients or internal use. The fraudsters then ask for the gift card codes and cash them out. This tactic exploits employees’ desire to respond quickly to leadership requests.

What You Can Do: Make it a policy to verify all purchasing requests through official channels. Communicate these risks clearly to your team. Limit who can authorize financial transactions and encourage employees to speak up if they feel uncertain.

4. Shipping Notification Scams

Fake shipping alerts from “FedEx,” “UPS,” or “USPS” often contain malware or direct recipients to phishing sites. During the holidays, increased shipping activity makes these scams especially effective.

What You Can Do: Track shipments only through carrier websites. Advise employees to avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and keep antivirus software updated. Use a central system for handling shipments to reduce individual employee risk.

5. E-skimming on Payment Portals

E-skimming attacks occur when hackers insert malicious code into online payment portals to steal customer payment details. This can damage your reputation and lead to financial losses.

What You Can Do: Regularly update your website’s software and payment gateways. Perform routine security checks and use tools to monitor for unauthorized changes. Ensure your website is PCI DSS compliant for secure payment handling.

6. Holiday Social Media Scams

Scammers use fake social media contests or giveaways to steal personal data or spread malware. These scams are designed to look fun and harmless, but the consequences can be severe.

What You Can Do: Train employees to avoid engaging with suspicious social media posts. Secure business accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Regularly monitor your company’s social media presence for fake accounts or suspicious activity.

7. Charity Scams

Not all charities asking for donations are genuine. Fraudulent charities exploit holiday generosity to collect money or sensitive information. They often use emotional appeals to bypass critical thinking.

What You Can Do: Research charities on platforms like Charity Navigator or GuideStar before donating. Avoid clicking on links in emails; instead, donate directly through verified websites. Communicate safe donation practices to your team.

8. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping

Public Wi-Fi networks, often used by employees working remotely, can expose your business to eavesdropping and data theft. Hackers can easily intercept unsecured communications.

What You Can Do: Require employees to use VPNs when connecting to public networks. Remind them to avoid accessing sensitive information over unsecured connections. Provide a secure hotspot option for remote workers whenever possible.

9. Holiday Shopping on Work Devices

Using work devices for personal holiday shopping can introduce malware or compromise sensitive business data. Employees may not realize the risks posed by unsecured or fraudulent websites.

What You Can Do: Set clear policies against using work devices for personal activities. Use endpoint protection tools to monitor and block risky behavior. Offer training on secure online shopping habits to help employees protect themselves.

10. Spoofed Websites

Scammers create fake versions of popular retailer websites to steal payment details or install malware on devices. These sites often look nearly identical to legitimate ones, making them difficult to spot.

What You Can Do: Verify website URLs before entering any information. Encourage employees to use secure payment methods like virtual credit cards or PayPal. Use browser security tools that flag suspicious websites.

11. Tech Support Scams

Fraudsters impersonate IT support, claiming urgent system issues that require immediate access or payment. This scam preys on employees who may not be familiar with IT processes.

What You Can Do: Work only with your trusted IT provider. Train employees to verify support requests directly with your IT team before sharing credentials or access. Ensure that your IT team communicates through official channels only.

12. End-of-Year Tax Scams

Cybercriminals exploit the tax season with scams posing as IRS representatives demanding immediate payment or sensitive data. These scams often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into compliance.

What You Can Do: Inform employees about legitimate IRS communication methods. Partner with a trusted CPA or financial advisor to handle tax-related matters securely. Share resources that detail how to recognize tax-related scams.

Stay Secure with BrownCow Technology

At BrownCow Technology, we understand the unique challenges small businesses face during the holidays. Cyber threats don’t take a break—but neither do we. Our managed IT services are designed to keep your business safe from scams like these, so you can focus on delivering exceptional service to your customers.

From advanced cybersecurity solutions to proactive system monitoring, we’re here to help. Ready to fortify your defenses? Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s craft a security strategy tailored to your needs.

The holiday season should be about joy, not stress. Take action now and protect your business year-round. Together, let’s make this season safe, secure, and full of cheer!

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Related Resources to Protect Your Business During the Holidays

1. FTC Holiday Scam Alerts
   Stay updated on the latest scams targeting businesses and consumers. The Federal Trade Commission provides comprehensive guides to recognizing and avoiding scams during the holiday season.
2. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Holiday Cybersecurity Tips
   Learn about actionable steps to enhance your business’s cybersecurity defenses, with a focus on seasonal risks.
3. Charity Navigator: Verify Charitable Organizations
   Before making donations or supporting causes, check the legitimacy of charities with this trusted resource.
4. NCSA – Stay Safe Online
   The National Cybersecurity Alliance provides tips for businesses and employees to stay secure while shopping and working online.
5. BrownCow Technology Blog: Cybersecurity Insights for Small Businesses
   Explore actionable tips, updates, and strategies to protect your small business from cyber threats year-round.
6. Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker
   Report scams or see the latest fraud trends impacting businesses and consumers in your area.
7. IRS Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts
   Avoid end-of-year tax scams with this authoritative guide from the IRS.
8. PCI Security Standards Council
   Learn how to secure your payment systems and protect customer payment data during the holiday rush.
9. Krebs on Security: E-Skimming Threats
   A leading source for understanding e-skimming and other advanced cybersecurity threats affecting businesses.
10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
    Build a robust cybersecurity framework for your business with trusted guidance from NIST.

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