Twinkling lights, peppermint lattes, and… holiday scams 2025 lurking in the inbox like the Grinch with a Wi-Fi connection. While everyone else is busy browsing deals and wrapping gifts, cybercriminals are unwrapping new tricks designed to steal data, money, and your holiday cheer.
So grab your cocoa, pull up your digital sleigh, and let’s break down the most common holiday scams businesses and individuals should watch out for this season.
The Classic: Online Holiday Scams Disguised as Deals
Every year, cybercriminals release their own version of a “holiday collection”—typically called online holiday scams.
These often show up as:
- “TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE” discounts
- Fake e-commerce stores
- Counterfeit brand ads
- Holiday giveaway posts.
If a website looks like your favorite retailer’s long-lost cousin or a social media ad promises 90% off high-demand items… you’re probably on Santa’s naughty list (aka someone is trying to scam you).
Pro Tip: Stick to known retailers, and double-check domain names—legit companies don’t usually spell their name wrong.
- Phishing Holiday Emails: The Festive Traps
Nothing says “’Tis the season” like phishing holiday emails dressed up as:
- Shipping notifications
- Gift card alerts
- Order confirmations
- Employee holiday party invites
These emails often include malicious attachments or links disguised as “Track your package” or “View holiday schedule.”
Some holiday phishing examples include:
- Fake UPS/FedEx delivery notices
- “Secret Santa” HR emails
- Holiday discounts requiring immediate login
If an email demands urgency during the holidays, chances are high it’s holiday fraud wrapped in festive fonts.
- Social Media Marketplace Scams: Naughty List Edition
With millions of people hunting for bargains, social media marketplace scams spike every holiday season.
Common tactics include:
- Fake listings
- Sellers demanding upfront payments
- “Clearance stock” from non-existent warehouses
- Shady profiles with recently created accounts
If the seller disappears faster than holiday cookies at a staff party, you know what happened.
- Charity Scam Holiday Schemes
The holiday season brings out generosity—and scammers who take advantage of it.
Charity scam holiday plots can involve:
- Fake donation websites
- Impersonated nonprofits
- Emotional social media posts with fraudulent links
Always verify the organization’s legitimacy before donating. Genuine charities won’t pressure you into giving “right now before midnight!”
- Delivery & Shipping Holiday Fraud
The holidays are the Olympics of package delivery—and scammers score gold when people are distracted.
Common tactics:
- Fake tracking links
- Text scams (aka “smishing”) claiming missed deliveries
- Fraudulent parcel forwarding services
Tip: Go directly to the courier’s official website. Never click unsolicited “package update” links.
- Corporate Holiday Scams: A Sneaky Favourite
The holiday season is when teams go on vacation, IT guards drop a little, and cybercriminals turn up the heat.
Watch for:
- Fake vendor invoices
- Compromised email accounts
- Bogus year-end offers targeting employees
- Gift card scams targeting finance or HR
Because nothing says “holiday spirit” like sending $1,000 in gift cards to a scammer pretending to be your boss.
Holiday Season Scam Prevention: How Businesses Can Stay Safe
Here’s how to keep your digital halls decked—and protected—against holiday season scam prevention nightmares:
Train your team on spotting holiday scams
(Even better if it’s fun, interactive, and AI-powered.)
Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere
Hackers hate it. You’ll love it.
Encourage employees to verify emails before acting
No, your CEO did not suddenly start emailing people at 9pm asking for secret holiday favors.
Update security tools before the holiday rush
Cybercriminals love outdated systems almost as much as they love unmonitored time off.
Keep personal and business accounts separate
Especially during shopping season, when everyone’s online looking for deals.
Final Sleigh Ride Thoughts
While the holidays bring joy, they also bring an avalanche of holiday scams 2025 designed to trick, steal, and disrupt. But with awareness, training, and good cyber hygiene, you can stay ahead of holiday fraud—and keep things merry, bright, and secure.
If your team needs help strengthening cybersecurity habits before the holiday rush hits, investing in a smart, skills-focused training program (maybe even an AI-powered one) can make a huge difference.
Stay safe out there—and may your only surprises this season be the good kind. Consult with our team and gain actionable insights tailored to your organization’s unique needs. If you haven’t by now, click the button below to schedule your 15-minute call.
