• Could one text really cost your business thousands?
• Are your employees ready to spot a fake message from the “CEO”?
• And what can small businesses learn from a $60 million mistake?

Last December, an accounts payable clerk at a midsize company received a text from her “CEO” asking her to buy $3,000 worth of Apple gift cards for clients. It seemed unusual, but it was the holiday rush, and the message looked legitimate. Minutes later, the scammer had cashed out, and the company took the loss.

Another business suffered far worse. Orion S.A., a chemical manufacturer, lost $60 million to a fake wire-transfer email that looked like a routine request from a trusted partner. It wasn’t a system breach but a social engineering attack that relied on trust and timing.

The holidays are a goldmine for cybercriminals. With distracted employees, faster approvals, and busier inboxes, scammers know exactly when to strike.

Why Holiday Scams Are So Effective?

Cybercriminals succeed by combining urgency with familiarity. During the holiday season, when teams are stretched thin, even seasoned employees can miss subtle signs of fraud. Attackers often impersonate executives, vendors, or clients and send urgent requests for money, gift cards, or account changes.

In 2024, business email compromise (BEC) made up 73% of all cyber incidents, costing businesses billions worldwide. These scams don’t rely on hacking tools—they exploit trust and human nature.

Why It Matters:
Firewalls and antivirus tools can’t stop a convincing message that looks like it came from your CEO. Building a security-first culture and giving staff regular training are essential defenses. Managed Cybersecurity from TruAdvantage can help embed that culture and ensure your team stays alert year-round.

The Scams Employees Should Recognize

• “Your Boss Needs Gift Cards” (The $3,000 Text Trap)

Scammers impersonate executives and ask staff to purchase gift cards for “clients” or “holiday bonuses.”
Prevention: Require two approvals for any purchases and train staff that leadership will never request gift cards via text or personal email.

• Invoice and Payment Switch-Ups

Fraudsters send “updated banking details” or hijack vendor threads just as invoices are due.
Prevention: Always confirm payment changes through a phone call using a verified number on file.

• Fake Shipping Notices

Attackers send phishing links disguised as delivery updates from UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
Prevention: Train staff to visit carrier websites directly rather than clicking links in messages.

• Malicious Holiday Party Attachments

Emails titled “Holiday_Schedule.pdf” or “Party_List.xls” often hide malware.
Prevention: Block macros, scan attachments, and verify unexpected files before opening.

• Bogus Holiday Fundraisers

Scammers pose as charities or fake “company match” programs to steal data or funds.
Prevention: Share a verified charity list and ensure all donations go through official portals.

Why It Matters:
These scams don’t exploit software, they exploit people. Reinforcing awareness through Managed IT Services helps reduce human error while keeping systems secure and policies consistent.

Building Everyday Cyber Awareness

Many small businesses still believe cyberattacks only target large corporations. The reality is, small and midsize organizations are now prime targets because attackers know their defenses are often weaker.

Regular awareness training, phishing simulations, and clear communication policies can reduce your vulnerability. For example:

• Host short, monthly training sessions with real-world examples.
• Recognize employees who report suspicious emails.
• Partner with your Managed Cybersecurity provider to run safe phishing tests.
• Use multifactor authentication (MFA) for all accounts; it blocks 99% of unauthorized access attempts.

Why It Matters:
Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time project. It’s a company-wide habit. Working with a Managed IT Support partner ensures your team stays vigilant while your systems remain protected and compliant.

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Your Holiday Defense Checklist

Before the next holiday rush, make sure your safeguards are in place:

• Two-Person Rule: Require verbal confirmation for all transactions above a set amount.
• Gift Card Policy: Document that no gift card requests are handled by email or text.
• Vendor Verification: Confirm any banking or payment changes using verified contact numbers.
• Multifactor Authentication: Enable MFA on all email, banking, and cloud accounts.
• Holiday Awareness Briefing: Review recent scams and remind your team of company policies.

Why It Matters:
A few simple policies can save you from costly mistakes. Combined with proactive Managed Compliance, these practices help you meet security standards and maintain client trust.

Why a Managed Security Partner Matters?

Orion’s $60 million loss made international news, but for small businesses, even a fraction of that damage can be devastating. The average loss per BEC attack in 2024 was $129,000, enough to cripple operations or wipe out a quarter’s profit.

A trusted IT partner like TruAdvantage offers 24/7 monitoring, advanced threat detection, and compliance-ready frameworks that protect your business from financial and reputational harm. We help SMBs cut through the clutter with Managed IT, Managed Cybersecurity, Managed Cloud, and Managed Compliance solutions that actually work, with no unnecessary complexity, just measurable results.

Why It Matters:
You can’t stop every phishing attempt, but you can make sure none of them succeed. With TruAdvantage’s Managed Cybersecurity, you get enterprise-level protection tailored for SMBs in the Bay Area, giving your team peace of mind through every season.

Key Takeaways

• Holiday scams target busy, distracted teams when security awareness drops.
• Most cyber incidents begin with human error, not technology flaws.
• Policies, training, and two-step verifications create a strong first line of defense.
• Partnering with TruAdvantage ensures SMBs stay secure, compliant, and confident year-round.

Let’s secure your business, protect your people, and give you peace of mind this holiday season. We offer an IT and Security Health Check. 

Book Your Free Consultation Now

Iman Oskoorouchi

President, Co-Founder
 Iman Oskoorouchi, President and Co-founder of TruAdvantage, studied Electrical Engineering at UC Davis and holds multiple IT certifications. With over two decades of experience helping Bay Area and California businesses and healthcare practices navigate digital transformation, Iman is known for his personal touch and deep industry expertise. He believes technology should serve people first, then systems, combining technical insight with a human-centered approach to build secure and efficient IT environments. A lifelong learner inspired by books like The Untethered Soul and The 5AM Club, he finds balance in backcountry skiing, philosophy, and Thai green curry.
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