The holiday season always brings joy, shopping deals, and an unfortunate surge in cybercriminal activity. Among their most effective tools are phishing campaigns, which exploit the chaos and urgency of the season to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information.
Below, we explore the primary phishing techniques used during the holidays, how they work, and how you can stay safe.
1. Urgent Discount Offers
Cybercriminals know that shoppers are on the hunt for bargains during the holidays, making urgent discount offers one of their favorite traps. These phishing emails often mimic well-known retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or Macy’s, complete with logos and branding to appear legitimate.
The subject lines are crafted to grab attention with phrases like “Hurry! 50% Off Sitewide for 24 Hours Only” or “Exclusive Holiday Deal Just for You!” Clicking the link in these emails takes victims to a fake website that mirrors the retailer’s login page. Once the user enters their credentials or payment information, the attackers capture it.
How to Avoid It:
- Always navigate directly to the retailer’s website by typing its URL in your browser.
- Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true or have excessive urgency.
2. Order Confirmation Scams
Order confirmation emails are especially effective because they tap into the seasonal surge in online shopping. Scammers send fake emails claiming to be from retailers or e-commerce platforms, thanking users for their “purchase.” These emails include links to “view your order” or “track your package,” which redirect to credential-stealing sites.
Victims are often tricked because they may have placed legitimate orders recently, making it harder to distinguish real confirmation emails from fake ones.
How to Avoid It:
- Check the sender’s email address carefully; scammers often use slight misspellings of legitimate domains.
- Log in to your account directly from the retailer’s official website to verify order details.
3. Failed Delivery Notifications
With shipping delays common during the holidays, fake delivery notifications are another phishing favorite. Emails claiming to be from FedEx, UPS, or the U.S. Postal Service inform recipients of a “failed delivery” and urge them to click a link to reschedule.
The provided links often download malicious attachments or direct victims to phishing websites designed to harvest personal information or payment details.
How to Avoid It:
- Hover over links to inspect the URL before clicking.
- Always visit the courier’s official website to track packages using your tracking number.
4. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular holiday present, and cybercriminals exploit this by sending phishing emails pretending to offer free or discounted gift cards. Phrases like “Claim your $50 Starbucks Gift Card now!” or “Redeem your holiday bonus today!” are designed to lure victims into clicking.
Once clicked, victims are taken to a fake site requesting personal or payment information under the pretense of verifying their eligibility for the gift card.
How to Avoid It:
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering free gift cards.
- Verify promotions directly on the brand’s official website.
5. Charity Fraud
The holiday season is a time for giving, and scammers exploit this goodwill through fraudulent charity campaigns. Phishing emails posing as well-known charities request donations for causes like disaster relief or underprivileged children.
These emails often include links to fake donation pages that collect payment information. Victims may also receive follow-up emails requesting further “verification” or additional contributions, increasing their exposure to fraud.
How to Avoid It:
- Research charities on reputable sites like Charity Navigator before donating.
- Donate directly through the charity’s official website rather than clicking links in unsolicited emails.
By understanding these common phishing techniques, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones during the holiday season. Stay vigilant, double-check every email, and remember that cybercriminals count on urgency and distraction to achieve their goals.
How Can Netizen Help?
Netizen ensures that security gets built-in and not bolted-on. Providing advanced solutions to protect critical IT infrastructure such as the popular “CISO-as-a-Service” wherein companies can leverage the expertise of executive-level cybersecurity professionals without having to bear the cost of employing them full time.
We also offer compliance support, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and more security-related services for businesses of any size and type.
Additionally, Netizen offers an automated and affordable assessment tool that continuously scans systems, websites, applications, and networks to uncover issues. Vulnerability data is then securely analyzed and presented through an easy-to-interpret dashboard to yield actionable risk and compliance information for audiences ranging from IT professionals to executive managers.
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