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.

1) Slow Down When a Message Creates Urgency

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:

• Take a breath and wait 30 seconds before you do anything.
• Open the company’s app or type the website into your browser yourself.
• If it’s a “security alert,” check your account directly—then act.

2) Treat Shipping, Order, and Refund Messages as “Verify First”

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:

• Check tracking inside the retailer/carrier app (or their official site) instead of the link.
• Look for the order in your account history—if it’s not there, be skeptical.
• If payment is requested, stop and verify through official channels.

3) Double-Check Links, QR Codes, and Sender Details

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:

• Check the sender’s actual email address (not just the display name).
• Avoid scanning QR codes that lead to logins—use the official app/site instead.
• When unsure, search for the company and navigate from a trusted starting point.

4) Be Extra Cautious With Payments and “Help” Requests

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:

• Use known contact methods (the number on your card, the official app, or the company website).
• Treat gift card/crypto/wire requests as “stop signs” and confirm independently.
• Never share one-time passcodes—hang up and call back using a trusted number.

5) Protect Your Accounts Like They’re Holiday Valuables

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:

• Use unique passwords (a password manager helps) and enable MFA.
• If you get an unexpected reset/login alert, change your password from the official site/app.
• Review your account security settings and recent logins during the holiday rush.

The Three-Step Gut Check

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.”

1. Who is this really from?
   Ignore the display name—check the actual email address, number, or handle. Look for misspellings, extra words, odd domains, or a reply-to that doesn’t match.
2. What are they asking me to do?
   Most scams push you to click, share info, or send money, usually with urgency. Be skeptical of requests for passwords, one-time codes, gift cards, or “small fees” to fix a delivery issue.
3. Can I verify this another way?

   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.

Enjoy The Holidays Safely

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.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Blog authored by James Savard. Read the original post at: https://ironscales.com/blog/five-phishing-red-flags-to-remember-this-holiday-season