Holiday Cybersecurity Alert: How to Defend Against the Top 5 Scams

The holiday season brings joy, celebrations, and gift-giving but it also brings a surge of cybercriminal activity. With the rise in online shopping, travel bookings, and festive transactions, cybercrime spikes significantly during this time. In fact, 45% of organizations in the UAE reported encountering fraudulent websites and scams during the 2024 holiday season, with cybercriminals capitalizing on increased e-commerce activity. These threats often go unnoticed, targeting both businesses and consumers through increasingly sophisticated scams.

The good news is you do not have to fall victim. By staying vigilant and taking a few simple steps, you can protect yourself, your family, and your business from the rising tide of cyber threats this season.

Top 5 Holiday Scams to Watch Out For:

The Rise of AI-Driven Phishing

The days of easily spotting a scam email because of poor grammar and spelling errors are mostly over. Cybercriminals are now weaponizing generative AI tools to craft terrifyingly convincing phishing attacks.

• The Threat: Hackers use AI to analyze stolen data or public social media profiles to create highly personalized emails. They might mimic the exact writing style of your CEO requesting an urgent gift card purchase, or craft a perfectly formatted email from “Amazon” regarding a problematic order. Because the language is flawless, your internal alarm bells don’t ring.
• How to stay safe: Never rely on the content of an email alone. Always hover your mouse over the sender’s name to see the actual email address. If your “CEO” is emailing from a Gmail account instead of the company domain, it’s a scam.

1. Fake Delivery Notifications

Scammers are sending emails and text messages claiming to be from shipping companies like Aramex, Shipa, DHL, or Noon. These fake alerts typically contain malicious links that ask you to “track your package” or “confirm delivery details,” which actually lead to phishing sites designed to steal your personal and payment information.

How to Spot It:

• Always check the sender’s email address and be cautious of messages that create a sense of urgency. Legitimate companies usually don’t ask for sensitive info via email or text.

2. Fraudulent Online Gift Offers

During the holiday rush, you might come across unbelievable “too good to be true” deals on social media or discount websites. These are often tactics to lure you into fraudulent online stores that look like legitimate businesses but are designed to steal your credit card details or sell counterfeit goods.

How to Spot It:

• Look for obvious red flags; poor website design, fake reviews, or unusual payment methods. Stick to well-known and trusted online retailers.

3. Phishing Emails and Holiday Promotions

Phishing scams are common year-round, but during the holidays, cybercriminals get creative with enticing holiday offers. You might receive fake holiday sales emails with links to “exclusive deals” that ask for personal information or login credentials.

How to Spot It:

• Always hover over links before clicking to see the actual URL. If the email claims to be from a major brand, check for inconsistencies like misspelled names or incorrect branding.

4. Gift Card Scams

One of the fastest-growing scams during the holidays involves fraudsters impersonating a friend, family member, or company and asking you to buy gift cards as a “special request.” Scammers will pressure you to act quickly, often promising urgent reasons for the purchase (e.g., “I need gift cards for a last-minute purchase!”).

How to Spot It:

• Be wary of unsolicited gift card requests, especially if they ask you to share codes or receipts. Never purchase gift cards for someone you don’t personally know.

5. Fake Charities and Donation Scams

The season of giving is a prime time for cybercriminals to exploit people’s goodwill. Scammers may create fake charities or emergency relief campaigns to collect donations for causes that don’t exist.

How to Spot It:

• Always verify charities through trusted platforms before donating. If you are solicited via email, do your research on the organization first.

“Quishing” (QR Code Phishing)

We have all been trained to scan QR codes for menus and payments, and hackers are pasting their own codes over legitimate ones.

• The Threat: You are at a holiday market or paying for parking in a city center. You scan the QR code on the meter or the booth. It takes you to a payment page that looks real, but you are actually handing your credit card details to a scammer. The parking meter never gets paid, and you might get a ticket plus a stolen credit card.
• How to stay safe: Be suspicious of QR codes in public places, especially if they are stickers adhered over existing signage. When in doubt, pay via the official app or use the physical card slot.

Holiday Cybersecurity Checklist: Protect Yourself and Your Business

To ensure you’re fully prepared and to keep your holidays scam-free, here’s a simple checklist for individuals and businesses alike:

1. Keep Software Updated: Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated systems. Ensure your devices, browsers, and apps are fully updated to protect against known threats.
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: With so many accounts being accessed during the holiday rush, make sure your passwords are secure and unique. Consider using a password manager to help manage them securely.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This simple security step adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Whenever possible, enable MFA on your email, banking, and shopping accounts.
4. Verify Payment Methods: Stick to trusted payment methods like credit cards or digital wallets (e.g., PayPal), which offer added protection against fraud. Avoid transferring money directly via wire services or gift cards.
5. Don’t Click on Suspicious Links: Always double-check the URL and sender’s information before clicking on any links in unsolicited emails or text messages. When in doubt, go directly to the website rather than using the provided link.
6. Monitor Your Accounts for Suspicious Activity: Frequently check your financial accounts for unusual transactions. Early detection can help prevent further damage.

How Help AG Can Help You Stay Secure

At Help AG, we specialize in helping businesses protect themselves against advanced cyber threats, especially during high-risk periods like the holidays. With AI-powered threat detection, next-gen firewalls, and managed security services, we are here to support you in staying ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Our team of experts can help safeguard your organization from phishing, BEC (business email compromise), ransomware, and other sophisticated attacks commonly seen during the holiday season.

Reach out to us today to learn more about how our cybersecurity solutions can protect your business from the top risks of the season and beyond.

Stay safe and secure this holiday season.