Protecting your SMB from holiday-related phishing attacks

Taking a well-deserved break during the holidays is well and good, but don’t let your guard down just yet. While you’re enjoying the festivities and spending time with loved ones, cybercriminals work around the clock trying to steal sensitive information from businesses like yours. Phishing attacks, in particular, peak during the holiday season, and this means small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) must practice extra caution to protect themselves from potential threats.

Why are the holidays a prime time for phishing attacks?

Cybercriminals tend to ramp up their efforts during the holiday season due to several factors. For one, businesses often become more relaxed with their security measures during this time, as employees may be on vacation or working remotely. That means there could be fewer people monitoring for suspicious activity and more opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Plus, with more people shopping and making online transactions during the holidays, cybercriminals have a larger pool of potential victims to target. Exclusive deals, discounts, and promotions also make it easier for attackers to lure unsuspecting individuals into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments. When combined with the stress and distractions of the holiday season, people are more likely to fall for phishing scams, especially when they don’t stay vigilant.

What are the common phishing scams to watch for during the holidays?

To trick individuals and businesses during the holidays, cybercriminals might use any of the following tactics:

  • Fake shipping notifications: During the holiday shopping frenzy, many scammers may impersonate popular shipping companies such as UPS and FedEx or the US Postal Service to report a fraudulent delivery problem or ask for payment to avoid delays. But as convincing as these notifications may seem, they often have malware-laden attachments or dangerous links that lead to copycat websites designed to steal personal information.
  • Holiday coupons and deals: The promise of huge discounts or exclusive holiday deals is a common tactic for scammers. These phishing emails typically encourage recipients to click on a link for a special offer, which leads to fake websites that harvest sensitive data.
  • Charity donation fraud: Some cybercriminals exploit people’s generosity during the holidays by impersonating reputable charities and sending emails asking for donations. These fraudulent emails may contain links that lead to fake donation websites that steal money from well-meaning individuals.
  • Fraudulent travel ads: With many people booking last-minute travel, scammers may send fraudulent travel discounts in exchange for advanced payments, personal information, or both.
  • Fake gift cards: Scammers may send emails promising free gift cards if recipients provide personal information or pay a small processing fee. These emails often come from seemingly legitimate sources like well-known retailers, but in reality, they are just another tactic to steal sensitive information and the target’s hard-earned money.

How to identify and avoid holiday phishing scams

Fortunately, despite the variety of tactics used by cybercriminals, the following red flags can help you spot and avoid phishing scams:

  • Be skeptical of suspicious senders: If you’re not expecting an email from a particular sender, be cautious. Cybercriminals often use fake email addresses or impersonate legitimate businesses to trick recipients into thinking the message is from a trustworthy source. For example, instead of the usual “@amazon.com” email address, a scammer may use an address like “[email protected],” which looks legitimate at first glance.
  • Don’t interact with links and attachments: URLs and email attachments that come out of the blue are often a major indicator of a phishing scam. To be safe, don’t click on links or attachments from unfamiliar senders without verifying their authenticity first. Go directly to the organization’s official website or call their customer service hotline to confirm the legitimacy of the email.
  • Never disclose sensitive information over email: Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers over email. If an email requests this type of data, it’s most likely a phishing attempt.
  • Beware of urgent messaging: Phishing scammers often create a sense of urgency in their messages to force their targets to make hasty decisions. These fraudulent messages may mention a limited-time offer, an expired account, or a “critical” issue that requires immediate action. Always examine if the sender and request are legitimate or it’s just an attempt to get you to disclose sensitive information.
  • Review email content for inconsistencies: Phishing emails may contain spelling or grammar mistakes, erratic formatting, or even strange language. These be a telltale signs of a phishing attempt.
  • Get end-user security training: End-user security training involves quarterly discussions and random phishing simulations to test employee awareness and understanding of common phishing tactics. You and your employees will stand a much better chance of avoiding phishing attacks if you’ve been properly trained to recognize them. 
Related reading: Cybersecurity awareness tips for SMBs


Holidays aren’t just the only time cybercriminals use phishing scams, so it’s essential to stay vigilant all year round. If you need proven solutions and effective training to protect your business from phishing scams, get in touch with Interplay today.