The Phishing Trio: How to Spot Fake Delivery Notices, E-Gift Cards, and Charity Scams This Holiday Season

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The Phishing Trio How to Spot Fake Delivery Notices, E-Gift Cards, and Charity Scams This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, a different kind of list is making the rounds, not for gifts, but for scams. Cybercriminals count on the holiday rush and heightened emotions to catch us off guard. During the holiday season, three scams are especially common: fake delivery notices, fraudulent e-gift cards, and bogus charity appeals. Recognizing the warning signs can help your business avoid financial loss and a major seasonal headache.

The E-Gift Card Trap

E-gift cards are among the modern conveniences that are ideal for last-minute gifts or for rewarding employees. Their electronic nature, coupled with the difficulty in tracing of their origins, makes them a preferred tool among fraudsters. 

One of the most obvious warning signs of a scam is a request for payment via a gift card. Scammers often pose as government agencies, utility companies, or even legitimate vendors to pressure you into sending money quickly. No matter how official the request sounds, asking for payment this way is always fraudulent. Never transfer funds, provide card numbers, or share codes, doing so hands your money directly to the scammer.

When using gift cards to reward your team, it’s important to stay vigilant. Only purchase digital gift cards directly from the official websites of trusted retailers, and be cautious of third-party marketplaces. Establishing a secure, verified procurement process helps prevent scams and protects both your budget and your peace of mind.

The Fake Delivery Notice

With online orders soaring during the holiday season, it’s no wonder scammers are impersonating major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Fake delivery notices are designed to create panic and urgency, pushing you to make a quick and costly mistake. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that delivery scams spike during the holiday season, with the scammers taking advantage of the surge in e-commerce and people’s anticipation for packages.

You may get a text or email claiming that a package couldn’t be delivered and asking you to pay a small “re-delivery fee” or “customs charge.” To resolve the issue, the message prompts you to click a link, but that’s the trap. The link leads to a phishing site where scammers can steal your credit card information, login credentials, or even install malware on your device. The trick they rely on most is creating a false sense of urgency. 

The solution is simple: never click links in unexpected delivery messages. If employees are expecting a business delivery, they should go directly to the shipper’s official website or app and enter the tracking number themselves. That one habit immediately blocks scammers and serves as a reminder that company devices should never be used to click on unsolicited links.

The Fraudulent Charity Appeal

While the generosity of the holiday brings out the best in people, scammers are always ready to take advantage. The goal of fake charity scams is to divert your well-intentioned donations into scammers own pockets, by using emotional and high-pressure tactics. In 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded losses of approximately 96 million, from over 4500 charity-related scam complaints.

Often, these fake charities use names that sound strikingly similar to well-known organizations. Scammers set up elaborate networks of websites and social media profiles to appear legitimate, frequently tying their appeals to recent disasters or emotional seasonal stories. Their goal is to get you to “donate immediately,” often pushing untraceable payment methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards.

Protecting your company’s charitable giving starts with verification. Before donating, always research the organization using trusted resources like Charity Navigator or the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search. Legitimate charities will provide clear information about their mission and programs.

Your Practical Holiday Cybersecurity Playbook

Fraud isn’t just an individual concern; it’s also a business threat. A successful phishing attack on one employee can open the door to a much larger attack on your entire business network. As the holiday season ramps up, it’s important to reinforce simple but effective practices that protect your business from scams and fraud. Here are three key steps to keep your team and company safe:

  • Slow Down and Verify: Scammers thrive on urgency. If a message pressures you to act immediately, treat it as a warning sign. Take a moment to verify the request through a separate, official channel. For delivery notices, check the shipper’s website directly. 
  • Strengthen Your Login Defenses: A lot of fraud starts with a scammer gaining access to an account. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all business and financial accounts, this additional verification step makes it much harder for attackers to gain access, even if they have a password.
  • Educate Your Team: Employees are your first line of defense, so it’s essential they understand the threats that spike during the holiday season. A well-prepared team that can identify and report suspicious activity can stop an attack before it causes damage. Consider providing a refresher on cybersecurity awareness training before the holiday rush begins.

Let C Solutions Secure Your Season

The holiday season should be about celebration, not this time to deal with a cybersecurity incident. This year, partner with a managed IT support company to keep your systems secure and enjoy the season with peace of mind.

C Solutions IT monitors your systems around the clock, detecting and stopping potential fraud before it becomes a problem. Contact us today for a free consultation and ensure your holiday season stays both festive and secure.