Holiday phishing is not a “carelessness” problem. It’s a timing problem. One rushed click can have outsized consequences: a stolen password, a compromised account, or malware installed in seconds. During the holidays, attackers count on high volumes of shipping notices, receipts, and travel updates to make a fake message feel ordinary.
From a personal perspective, a single click can trigger serious fallout. Even when the financial losses are limited, the recovery effort can be time-consuming and stressful: contacting banks, disputing charges, freezing credit, and securing multiple accounts across email, shopping, and financial services.
From a professional perspective, that same click can extend far beyond one person. Compromised work credentials can give attackers access to email and internal systems, enable business email compromise (BEC) scams, and put coworkers, customers, and vendors at risk through follow-on phishing or fraudulent payment requests.
The good news is you don’t need special tools or technical knowledge to avoid most holiday phishing attempts. What you need is a short, repeatable set of habits you can use when you’re tired, distracted, or rushing between errands—because that’s exactly when scammers strike.
With that in mind, here are five practical reminders to keep you (and your accounts) protected throughout the holiday season.
Scammers love pressure: “act now,” “final notice,” “your account will be locked,” or “delivery will be canceled.” That urgency is meant to override your instincts and get you to click before you think. If it feels rushed, pause and verify using the company’s app or website—not the link in the message.
Do this instead:
During the holidays, fake package alerts and “problem with your order” emails blend right into real notifications. The goal is usually to make you click a link, pay a small “fee,” or sign in to a lookalike page. Instead, open the retailer or carrier app directly and check your status there.
Do this instead:
A message can look legit even when it isn’t—scammers use slightly misspelled domains, short links, and QR codes that send you to fake sites. Before you tap, look closely at the sender address and where the link actually goes (especially on mobile). When in doubt, don’t interact—go to the site manually or use the official app.
Do this instead:
Requests to pay with gift cards, crypto, or unusual methods are a major red flag, especially when paired with urgency or secrecy. Scammers also impersonate customer support, a bank, or even someone you know to pressure you into sending money quickly. If money is involved, verify through a trusted channel (like a known phone number or in-app support).
Do this instead:
Phishing often aims to steal logins for email, shopping, delivery, and banking accounts—because one stolen account can unlock many more. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever you can. If you get a login alert or password reset you didn’t request, treat it as suspicious and secure your account from the official site/app.
Do this instead:
Phishing works because it feels normal—shipping updates, bank alerts, password resets. This gut check creates a quick pause so you can separate “looks familiar” from “is legitimate.”
Don’t use the link or number in the message. Open the official app, type the site yourself, or call a trusted number (like the one on your card).
Easy default: “Search, don’t click.”
If you can’t answer all three in 15 seconds, don’t interact—close it and verify through a trusted channel.
Holiday phishing is designed to catch you at your busiest—when your inbox is full, your attention is split, and everything looks like a normal shipping update or account notice. The good news is you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to avoid most scams; you just need a reliable pause button. Use the 3-step gut check, verify through official channels, and trust your instincts when something feels “slightly off.”
Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season from all of us at IRONSCALES.