Why Cyber Threats Increase During the Holidays

The holidays bring a significant rise in online activity with more shopping, more browsing, more shipping, and all the emails and texts that come with it. This spike in volume creates additional opportunities for cybercriminals to insert fraudulent messages, mimic trusted retailers, or steal login and payment information.

Scammers often rely on seasonal urgency, using familiar prompts like “limited-time offer” or “last day to ship” to encourage quick clicks. Many also imitate package notifications or order confirmations, directing users to enter sensitive information on look-alike websites. Increasingly, these schemes are enhanced by AI-generated emails and cloned retailer pages that appear legitimate at first glance.

Cyber Threats to Watch for in 2025

• Phishing Emails and Texts: Scammers mimic shipping carriers, retailers, financial institutions, or charities. Their messages often link to counterfeit login pages or request personal or payment information.
  
• Fake Retailer Websites: Cybercriminals build full digital storefronts with professional design and steep discounts. These sites collect payment details and never ship orders.
  
• Social-Media Scams: Fraudulent ads and sponsored posts offer “exclusive” holiday deals that appear legitimate at first glance, making it easier to mislead shoppers.
  
• Malicious Shipping Notifications: Fake delivery alerts from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon prompt users to click links that steal credentials or install malware.
  
• Cloned E-Commerce Pages: Look-alike sites use small spelling variations or copied branding to capture payment information during checkout.
  
• Suspicious QR Codes: Holiday flyers, pop-up ads, or online promotions may include QR codes that redirect users to unsafe sites designed to collect sensitive data.
  
• Malicious Attachments: Email attachments or other downloads from unknown senders can contain malware capable of compromising devices or tracking activity.

How to Stay Safe While Online Shopping

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create passwords that are difficult to guess and avoid reusing them across multiple accounts, especially for shopping, banking, and email.
  
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Turn on MFA wherever possible. It adds a critical layer of protection and is especially effective for financial and email accounts.
  
• Navigate Directly to Trusted Sites: Type the retailer’s URL into your browser or use a saved bookmark instead of clicking on links in emails, texts, or online ads.
  
• Keep Devices Updated: Install software updates and security patches on phones, tablets, and computers to protect against known vulnerabilities.
  
• Be Cautious with Attachments, Holiday eCards, and QR Codes: Avoid opening holiday cards, attachments, or scanning QR codes from unknown senders. These can lead to harmful downloads or unsafe websites.
  
• Be Wary of Urgency: Pause before responding to messages that pressure you to pay quickly, confirm account details, or update information.

How TRB Helps Protect Your Information

Texas Regional Bank works year-round to safeguard your information through secure systems and ongoing customer education. Still, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. If you ever receive a message that seems suspicious, or if something doesn’t feel right, contact us directly.

TRB will never ask for login details, PIN numbers, card information, or personal data through email, text, or social media. When in doubt, ask “the people you know.” A quick call or visit to your local branch can help you confirm whether a request is legitimate.

Your vigilance is the most effective tool for protecting your information. With a few smart habits, you can navigate the holiday season online with greater confidence and security.