The Top Holiday Season Cyber Scams Targeting SMBs 

The holiday season brings increased sales for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). It also brings a sharp rise in cyber scams. Cybercriminals intensify attacks during this busy period. They often call it “Black Friday for Hackers.” Cyberattacks rise by about 30% during the holidays. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) sees a spike in complaints each January. These complaints reflect scams from November and December. SMBs account for 43% of all cyberattacks. Florida is among the most affected states. Holiday distractions, understaffing, and high transaction volumes create ideal conditions for fraud. The following sections detail the most common holiday cyber scams targeting SMBs. They also provide strategies to reduce these risks. 

1. Executive Gift Card Scams (CEO Impersonation) 

Attackers often impersonate a CEO or manager and urgently request gift cards. For example, an employee may receive a message from “the boss. The message might say, “I’m in a meeting. Please buy $2,000 in gift cards for client gifts. I’ll reimburse you.” During the holiday rush, staff may comply without realizing the funds go to scammers. In 2023, gift card scams cost U.S. businesses over $217 million. One illustrative case involved a small retail company in Texas. An employee fell victim to such a scam, almost draining their monthly budget. Through quick action and a revised security protocol, they recovered a portion of the funds and prevented future incidents. This tactic is effective during the holidays, when companies frequently purchase gifts for clients or staff. These requests appear legitimate. This scam is a form of business email compromise (BEC) and relies on social engineering, not malware. 

To protect your business, never approve gift card purchases by email or text without verification. Train employees that no legitimate executive will request gift card codes this way. Require in-person or phone confirmation. Encourage staff to verify urgent requests directly. Remind them to slow down and check any urgent holiday requests. 

2. Fake Invoice & Payment Diversion Scams (Vendor BEC Fraud) 

Another major holiday cyber scam targeting SMBs is the fake invoice or payment redirect scam—a sophisticated form of BEC. Fraudsters monitor email threads to spot chances to impersonate a vendor or hijack communications. Once they gather enough data to seem credible, they send an invoice or payment instruction with ‘updated bank account details.’ These attacks often occur at year-end, as accounting departments process many invoices. For example, a town in Massachusetts lost nearly $500,000 after paying what appeared to be a legitimate vendor bill. A scammer had altered the banking information. Globally, these scams have caused significant losses. In one case, a European company unknowingly wired $60 million to cybercriminals through a holiday invoice scam. 

During the holiday rush, fake payment requests may go unnoticed. Enforce strict verification for all financial requests. If a supplier emails new ACH or wire instructions, confirm by calling a known contact at the vendor’s verified phone number, not the one in the email. Use a two-person approval process for large transfers. Executives model this practice by adhering to the same protocols and willingly slowing payments to ensure the company’s safety. This demonstrates that the two-person rule is non-negotiable and integral to the company culture. Business email compromise is now one of the most costly cyber risks for SMBs, accounting for the majority of cyber incident losses in 2024. Following strict payment protocols is your best defense. 

3. Phishing Shipping Notifications and “Missed Delivery” Cons 

Phishing emails and texts that exploit the holiday shipping rush are common. SMBs get more package orders, which attackers target. Scammers send fake delivery notices, order confirmations, or tracking updates that appear to come from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon. These messages may claim a package is delayed for a redelivery fee or ask you to click a link to verify an address. Clicking that link often leads to credential theft or malware. In 2025, many phishing and smishing messages use AI to look authentic and personal. For employees handling shipments, these scams can be convincing. To stay safe, never click tracking links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, use the carrier’s official site or your order system to enter the tracking number. Train staff to use this method. Beware of messages requesting extra payment for delivery—real carriers do not ask for fees by text or email. Encourage employees to confirm notifications through official channels. Following these steps prevents most holiday phishing scams. 

4. Malicious Holiday Attachments and Links (E-Cards & Party Invites) 

Holiday-themed emails can pose cyber risks if they include attachments. Scammers often disguise malicious files as party schedules, greeting e-cards, or bonus spreadsheets. Emails may appear to come from HR or colleagues, with subjects like “Holiday Party Plan” or “Year-End Bonuses.” Attachments might include files such as Holiday_Schedule.pdf or PartyList.xls. Opening these files without caution can install malware or ransomware. With just one click, the malware can spread through the network in minutes. Key files may be locked, and operations disrupted at a critical time. Similarly, links to fake greeting cards or holiday videos may lead to phishing sites or drive-by downloads. During the festive season, employees are more likely to trust and click these communications. Attackers exploit this trust. 

To mitigate this risk, treat unexpected attachments or links with caution. Encourage your team to verify with the sender if they receive an unanticipated file. A quick call or separate message can confirm legitimacy. IT administrators should enable email security filters, such as attachment sandboxing and URL scanning. Block macro-enabled Office attachments by default. Require scanning before opening. Remind staff that legitimate holiday announcements or cards will never require bypassing security warnings. By staying cautious and using up-to-date endpoint protection, SMBs can celebrate safely and avoid fake party invites. 

5. Fake Charities and Holiday Donation Scams 

Fake charity scams increase during the holidays and target businesses’ and employees’ goodwill. SMBs may receive emails requesting donations for disaster relief, children’s gifts, or a “company match” program. These links often lead to fraudulent websites that steal donations or harvest login credentials. Scammers use names and images that resemble those of well-known charities. They create urgency with messages such as “immediate help needed.” According to cybersecurity experts, phony charity appeals and crowdfunding scams appear every December. This makes verification essential. 

SMBs can protect themselves by establishing an official process for corporate giving. Publish an approved list of charities or fundraising campaigns your company supports. Instruct employees to use only these or seek approval for new ones. Advise staff not to donate based on unsolicited emails or social media posts. Instead, visit the charity’s verified website by searching for the URL independently. Resources such as Charity Navigator or the IRS Nonprofit Lookup can help confirm a charity’s legitimacy. By raising awareness that scammers exploit generosity, you can promote a cautious approach. Ensure that company and employee donations go to legitimate organizations, not fraudsters. 

6. Ransomware Attacks Timed for Holiday Downtime 

Not all holiday cyber threats involve scams seeking money or clicks. Some are direct cyberattacks, such as ransomware. Many ransomware groups now attack on weekends, at night, and during holiday periods. They know that IT staff are often unavailable or working with reduced teams. This allows intruders to encrypt systems before they are detected. About 85% of companies reduce security operations by up to 50% on weekends and holidays. Roughly 86% of ransomware attacks occur during these off-hours. The end of the year is especially attractive to attackers. A ransomware incident in late December can disrupt operations during peak sales. Ransomware operators have developed “holiday playbooks” to maximize pressure. They know businesses have limited capacity to respond quickly. The average downtime after an attack is about 21 days. This can greatly affect Q4 revenue.  

Consider this typical timeline of a holiday ransomware attack:  

– Friday Night: Initial breach occurs as attackers infiltrate the system, often unnoticed due to reduced oversight.  

– Saturday and Sunday: Malware spreads quietly while IT teams are understaffed or off-duty.  

– Early Monday Morning: Full encryption is executed before most staff return to work, ensuring maximum disruption. 

Prevention is key. Patch all systems before the holidays. Keep reliable, tested offline backups. This enables recovery without paying ransom. Increase monitoring during holiday weeks if you can. Consider using automated detection tools. Early detection can prevent a minor issue from becoming a major one. Many SMBs now work with managed security providers for 24/7 monitoring over the holidays. Continuous oversight can spot signs of ransomware, such as odd after-hours file activity, and stop it. Criminals stay active during holidays. Your defenses should, too. 

How to Protect Your SMB from Holiday Cyber Scams 

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated each holiday season, SMBs can take effective steps to reduce risk. A proactive approach to cybersecurity and user awareness can prevent most scams. Imagine a quick, five-minute scan that could save you from five-figure losses; the effort is minimal compared to the peace and savings you gain. Below is a checklist of best practices for holiday cybercrime prevention, relevant for Florida businesses and others: 

• Conduct a Holiday Cybersecurity Briefing: Before the holiday rush, provide refresher training for your team. Educate employees about common “holiday phishing” schemes and social engineering red flags, such as urgent requests or payment via gift cards. Companies that run regular phishing simulations see up to a 60% reduction in risk, so reinforce training with real-world examples. Incorporate hands-on exercises, such as sending a mock CEO gift card email during the briefing. To increase engagement and retention, gamify the experience by awarding points or small prizes for employees who quickly and accurately detect scams. Set up a leaderboard to transform the training from a lecture into a friendly competition. This interactive and competitive approach can turn abstract warnings into real-life experience, heightening awareness and retention. 

• Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere: Secure Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere: Secure all accounts, including email, banking, and cloud applications, with MFA such as an authenticator app or token. This measure blocks 99% of unauthorized login attempts. MFA is especially important for remote access during the holidays. Enforce phishing-resistant MFA for critical systems if possible. for financial transactions and data changes. For example, require two-person approval and verbal confirmation for any wire transfer or change to a vendor bank account. Clearly communicate that no executive will request payments or sensitive data via email alone. This “trust, but verify” approach will prevent BEC scams. 

• Maintain Updated Security and Backups: Before the holidays, apply all software patches, as many attacks exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. Verify that data backups are current and stored securely offline. This protects your business if ransomware occurs. Use the holiday period to test your backup restore process to confirm it works. During Off-Hours: Recognize that your IT team may be understaffed during holidays. If possible, use tools or services for 24/7 threat monitoring and incident response. Many SMBs rely on managed security services for continuous monitoring, which can quickly detect and contain attacks that occur at night or on weekends. Having experts available can be the difference between a minor incident and a major breach. 

• Encourage a Culture of Caution: Remind employees to pause before clicking links or approving requests. Scammers exploit urgency and distraction. To counteract this, introduce a simple ‘pause-and-breathe’ ritual where employees take a deep breath and think of the phrase ‘Is this REALLY urgent?’ before proceeding with any task labeled as urgent. Simple habits, such as checking email addresses or independently verifying requests by phone, can prevent incidents. In regions with high holiday activity, such as Florida, vigilance is the best defense. 

Spotlighting quick wins can significantly bolster this cautious culture. Recently, an attentive staff member identified a suspicious link in an email that appeared to be from a trusted vendor. By taking the time to verify the communication through official channels, they prevented what could have been a costly breach. Recognizing such actions not only celebrates the individual’s diligence but also reinforces the company’s commitment to cybersecurity. By sharing these success stories, you create a positive feedback loop that underscores the value of vigilance. 

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure 

The holidays should be a time of joy and business success, not crisis management due to a cyber incident. By understanding the top holiday cyber scams and implementing strong protections, SMBs can enjoy the season without falling victim to online fraud. Attackers are most active when they believe you are least prepared. With the right combination of employee awareness, security technology, and expert support, you can address seasonal security gaps. Many businesses in high-target areas, such as Florida, strengthen their defenses by partnering with a trusted provider like Alltek Services for managed IT security, especially during the holidays. Alltek Services delivers expert oversight and advanced tools to keep your business data secure, even during off-hours. Protect your business this season—contact Alltek Services today to schedule a complimentary cybersecurity assessment and ensure your peace of mind. 

By following these precautions, your organization can navigate the holiday season without falling victim to scams. The best gift you can give your business is peace of mind, knowing robust cybersecurity measures protect your operations and customer trust. Stay vigilant and enjoy a safe, successful holiday season with your business secure.