It’s the busiest time of the year for Tennessee businesses—and unfortunately, for cybercriminals too. During the holidays, hackers know your team is distracted, short-staffed, and processing more payments than usual. That’s why business e-mail compromise and holiday phishing scams spike every December.
Last year, one company lost $60 million to a single scam. Another Knoxville business nearly folded after hackers tricked an employee into transferring thousands during a rush of vendor payments. The reality? These attacks aren’t rare—they’re targeted, local, and preventable.
With the right cybersecurity and data protection strategy, you can keep your business safe through the holiday chaos.
Real Holiday Scam Scenarios (and How to Stop Them)
1. “Your Boss Needs Gift Cards”
The scam: Fraudsters pose as business owners or managers, texting staff with “urgent” gift card requests for clients or employees.
The risk: Gift-card scams cost U.S. businesses over $200 million last year.
The fix: Establish a two-approval rule for all purchases. Make it clear that no executive will ever request gift cards by text or email.
2. Invoice and Payment Switch-Ups
The scam: Hackers infiltrate vendor email threads, change banking details, and reroute payments.
The risk: One Tennessee city lost nearly half a million dollars through a fake invoice.
The fix: Verify all vendor payment changes using a verified phone number on file, not the number in the email.
3. Fake Delivery Notices
The scam: Phishing emails posing as UPS or FedEx ask staff to “confirm delivery.” Clicking installs malware.
The fix: Train employees to go directly to the carrier’s website and bookmark official tracking pages.
4. Malware “Holiday Party” Attachments
The scam: E-mails with files like “Holiday_Schedule.pdf” contain malware.
The fix: Block macros, scan attachments automatically, and teach staff to verify unexpected attachments.
5. Bogus Charity Campaigns
The scam: Fake donation links mimic legitimate local charities.
The fix: Keep a pre-approved charity list and process all donations through secure company channels.
Why Knoxville Businesses Are Prime Targets
Small and midsize companies are often hit hardest. Cybercriminals know they typically lack dedicated IT staff and rely on email for financial operations. That’s why investing in nonprofit and small business cybersecurity or a Knoxville IT support provider can drastically reduce risk.
According to FBI data, business email compromise (BEC) accounted for 73% of all cyber incidents in 2024—and the average loss per attack was $129,000.
How to Protect Your Business During the Holidays
Follow this quick holiday cybersecurity checklist before year-end:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts—blocks 99% of unauthorized logins.
- Verify vendor banking info by phone—never by email alone.
- Train employees using phishing simulations and awareness refreshers.
- Review your incident response plan and ensure contact info is current.
- Work with a Knoxville IT company that monitors and protects your business 24/7.
With the right preparation, your business can stay productive—and profitable—through the holidays.
The Real Cost of a Data Breach
Financial losses are only part of the damage. A single cyberattack can also cause:
- Lost productivity and downtime
- Customer data exposure
- Increased insurance premiums
- Long-term reputation damage
That’s why business data protection and regular security assessments aren’t optional—they’re essential investments in your company’s future.
Final Thoughts
The holidays should be a time to celebrate, not to clean up after a cyber disaster. Don’t wait until scammers strike—protect your team now.
A simple call verification, updated security policy, or managed IT partnership could save your business thousands.
👉 Schedule your free holiday cybersecurity assessment today and make sure your systems, staff, and finances are secure before the new year.
Because the best gift you can give your Knoxville business this season is peace of mind.
