5 Things SMBs Must Know About Holiday Phishing Scams

The holiday phishing scams tips every small and medium-sized business needs are simple but powerful. The holiday season is prime time for cybercriminals to launch phishing campaigns disguised as shipping updates, discounts, or digital greeting cards. Employees are busier than ever in November and December, which means inboxes are crowded and attention spans are short. Knowing what to watch for and how to prepare can make all the difference.

Understand Why Holidays Attract Cybercriminals

The first of the holiday phishing scam tips is to understand why attacks spike during the holidays. Cybercriminals are aware that employees are often distracted, shopping online, and rushing to close out the year. That means more legitimate emails about deliveries and deals—making it easier for scams to slip through.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) notes that phishing remains one of the most common threats to American businesses. Scammers count on stress and urgency to trick employees into clicking.

Learn the Red Flags of Holiday Phishing

Another key holiday phishing scam tip is spotting the warning signs. Common red flags include:

• Slight misspellings in the sender’s email address
• Links that don’t match the display text
• Attachments you weren’t expecting
• Messages that use urgent or threatening language
• Unexpected offers, prizes, or gift cards

By teaching employees to pause and evaluate suspicious emails, SMBs can block many attacks before damage occurs.

Train Employees Before the Rush

Employee awareness is central to any list of holiday phishing scam tips. Training doesn’t need to be complicated. A one-hour refresher before the holiday season can review phishing red flags, safe practices, and how to report questionable emails.

Managed service providers (MSPs) can also conduct phishing simulations that provide staff with a safe way to practice identifying scams. This quick, hands-on experience reinforces learning and makes employees less likely to fall victim.

Use MSP Tools to Stay Ahead

The fourth tip for avoiding holiday phishing scams is to rely on your MSP’s security expertise. MSPs can provide email filtering, domain blocking, and 24/7 monitoring to catch suspicious activity. If an employee accidentally clicks on a malicious link, these protections can help contain the damage.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, phishing-related breaches remain among the most expensive for US businesses. Having MSP support in place greatly reduces both cost and risk.

Don’t Ignore Holiday Phishing Threats

The final tip for holiday phishing scams is to acknowledge the real risk. Hackers don’t take the holidays off. They deliberately target businesses when employees are distracted and defenses may be down.

SMBs that take phishing seriously, by understanding timing, spotting red flags, training staff, leveraging MSP tools, and recognizing the stakes, set themselves up for a safer, smoother holiday season.

Don’t wait for a phishing scam to ruin your holiday season. Contact our team today to set up employee training and advanced email protection. Together, we’ll help keep your business safe while your staff focuses on year-end success.