The holiday season is a time for giving, gratitude, and, unfortunately, grifting. While most of us are busy wrapping gifts and planning gatherings, cybercriminals are hard at work cooking up new scams designed to take advantage of the festive rush. Between the flurry of online shopping, charity donations, and travel bookings, it’s easy to let our guard down. But don’t worry, staying safe online doesn’t have to dampen your holiday spirit.
At Atlantic Data Security, we believe awareness is the best gift you can give yourself (and your loved ones). Here’s how scammers operate during the holiday season, the red flags to look for, and what to do if the Grinch of cybercrime pays you a visit.
The Naughty List: Common Holiday Scams
Fake Retail and Shipping Notifications
“Your package is delayed.” “Click here to track your order.” Sound familiar? Scammers know that holiday shoppers are expecting deliveries, so they send realistic-looking texts or emails posing as UPS, FedEx, or Amazon. Clicking the link often installs malware or leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
Holiday Charity Scams
Cybercriminals prey on goodwill, creating fake charities or donation pages that mimic legitimate organizations. Social media and crowdfunding sites are common venues. Before you donate, double-check the charity’s name and confirm their website ends with .org or is listed on the IRS’s official charity search.
Phony Gift Exchanges and “Secret Santa” Schemes
Ever seen the “buy one gift and get 10 in return” game on Facebook? It’s an old pyramid scam in festive wrapping. You’ll likely never see a gift, or worse, your personal data could be harvested from your social profile.
Bogus Shopping Deals and Counterfeit Sites
Too-good-to-be-true prices on designer goods or hot electronics are a telltale sign of a scam. Fraudsters set up fake storefronts with names just close enough to legitimate brands to fool hurried shoppers. They’ll take your payment info, but the “order confirmation” is where your shopping ends.
Travel and Event Ticket Cons
Scammers post fake vacation rentals, airline deals, or sold-out concert tickets at irresistible prices. Victims pay upfront only to discover the listing never existed. Always book through reputable, verified platforms.
Signs of a Scam: Spotting the Ghosts of Cyber Pasts, Presents, and Futures
Scams, confidence tricks, and phishing attacks all prey on the same fundamental components of human psychology that can get us to bring our guard down and convince us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. Knowing some of the key red flags of social engineering attacks can be critical for giving you that momentary pause to reevaluate, and maybe save yourself from getting tricked.
Here are some of the most common warning signs to watch for; whether you’re protecting yourself, parents, or even the tech-trusting teens in your life:
- Unusual urgency: Messages that demand “immediate action” or threaten account closure are massive red flags. Adding stress and urgency is how threat actors aim to cloud the judgement of their potential victims.
- Unfamiliar senders: Double-check the sender’s email address or number. Small spelling differences (like “amazzon.com”) is a clear giveaway, as are non-standard TLDs (such as “amazon.net”).
- Odd payment requests: Legitimate businesses and charities won’t ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These are all strategies cybercriminals use to avoid the scrutiny of professional banking.
- Links and attachments: Hover over links before clicking. If the URL is suspicious or different from the displayed destination, don’t click it. Similarly, it’s best practice not to open attachments from sources you don’t already know and trust.
- Too personal or too vague: Scammers often use stolen data to sound convincing, or vague language to trick multiple targets.
Encourage family and friends, especially those less tech-savvy, to slow down and think before they click. Scammers thrive on emotion: excitement, fear, or urgency. The best defense is a cool head.
Cybersecurity Stocking Stuffers: How to Stay Safe This Season
Apart from having a general awareness of how scams and cyber criminals will attempt social engineering attacks, knowing the right small habits and best practices can help keep you safe. Here are a few of our quick tips on how you can shop, donate, and log in online this holiday season, focused on celebration, not cleanup.
Keep software and devices updated.
Before you dive into holiday browsing or travel bookings, make sure your operating system, browsers, and antivirus software are current. Many scams rely on exploiting old security flaws.
Use strong, unique passwords.
Avoid reusing passwords across sites. A password manager can help you stay organized (and festive, not frustrated).
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Think of it as a digital deadbolt; if your password is stolen, MFA can stop intruders from getting in.
Shop and donate on secure sites only.
Look for “https://” and a lock icon in your browser’s address bar. Avoid clicking links from emails or social media ads—navigate to sites directly.
Verify before you buy (or give).
Research sellers and charities before providing payment information. A quick Google search with “reviews” or “scam” next to the name can reveal a lot.
Monitor your financial statements.
During busy shopping months, check your bank and credit card activity weekly. Catching unauthorized transactions early can make recovery much easier.
Protect loved ones.
Scammers often target the elderly and young adults. Talk openly about scams and encourage sharing any suspicious messages or “great deals” before taking action.
If the Grinch Strikes: What to Do If You’re a Victim
Even the most vigilant among us can get caught off guard. With how sophisticated and persistent modern cyber criminals are, the risk of falling foul of a scam is likely higher than ever. Knowing how to respond correctly and quickly can help you significantly mitigate the damage.
If you suspect you’ve fallen for a scam:
- Stop communication immediately. Don’t respond or send further information.
- Contact your bank or credit card provider. Report unauthorized charges or request to freeze your account.
- Change your passwords. Prioritize any accounts that share credentials with the compromised one.
- Report the scam. In the U.S., use reportfraud.ftc.gov for consumer scams or ic3.gov for cybercrime.
- Warn others. Sharing your experience can prevent others from falling for the same trap.
Remember, embarrassment is common, but unnecessary. Scammers rely on silence to keep their schemes alive. Speaking up helps everyone stay safer.
The Gift of Awareness
This holiday season, give yourself—and those you care about—the gift of vigilance. Cybercriminals may be clever, but they’re not unbeatable. By taking a few proactive steps, staying skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, and keeping security top of mind, you can make sure the only surprises you unwrap this year are the good kind.
From all of us at Atlantic Data Security, here’s to a joyful, safe, and scam-free holiday season. May your inbox be merry, your passwords strong, and your cheer uninterrupted.