Christmas scams: what to watch for before the holidays
Delivery texts, changed invoice details and urgent payment requests are easier to miss when everyone is busy. A few simple checks can stop a convincing message from becoming an expensive problem.
Reviewed by Connected Platforms | Updated November 2026 | 4 minute read
Why these messages work at Christmas
With Christmas approaching, you may notice more spam emails and text messages coming through. Some are simply annoying. Others are more aggressive, threatening to close accounts, demanding payment or claiming a parcel cannot be delivered until you pay a fee.
It is easy to see how people get caught. If you are waiting on several online orders, a text about a missed delivery may not seem unusual. At work, an invoice arriving while you are trying to finish everything before the break may get paid without the usual checks.
These messages can look convincing. They copy familiar businesses, use their logos and sometimes appear to come from someone you know. Do not assume an email is genuine just because it looks professional.
Scams to watch for over the coming weeks
The story changes, but the pressure is usually the same: click, sign in or pay before you have time to check.
Delivery fee or address update
A text says a parcel cannot be delivered until you pay a small fee or confirm your address.
Account suspension warning
An email claims an account will be closed unless you sign in immediately.
Changed invoice details
A supplier invoice arrives with new bank details, sometimes inside an existing email conversation.
Urgent request from a manager
A message asks for gift cards, a bank transfer or an urgent payment with little time to check.
An offer that looks too cheap
An unfamiliar online store advertises popular Christmas products well below normal prices.
Check through a channel you trust
If you are unsure, contact the business or person directly. Use a phone number you already have, or open their official website or app yourself. Do not use the contact details or links in the suspicious message.
• Open the courier or retailer website yourself and check the order there.
• Call the supplier using a saved number before accepting changed bank details.
• Ask the manager in person or through your normal work channel before buying gift cards or making a payment.
• Search for the store independently and check its contact details, returns policy and reputation.
• When in doubt, stop. A genuine request can survive a few minutes of verification.
For businesses, verify every payment change
Remind staff to confirm any change of bank details over the phone before paying an invoice, even when the request appears in an existing email conversation.
Use a phone number already stored in your records. Do not rely on a number included in the message that asks for the change.
• Keep payment approval responsibilities clear before staff take leave.
• Require a second check for unusual, urgent or high-value payments.
• Be cautious when a supplier suddenly changes bank details.
• Give staff a simple way to report suspicious messages without embarrassment.
If you clicked, entered details or made a payment
Act straight away. Do not wait until after the holidays.
Tell your IT team
If you clicked a link, opened an attachment or entered a password, let your IT team know immediately. Early action can help secure accounts, review access and limit further damage.
Contact your bank
If you made a payment or supplied banking details, contact your bank immediately and explain what happened. Keep copies of the message, payment details and any related correspondence.
Report the scam
You can also report scams to Scamwatch. Reporting helps authorities understand current campaigns and warn others.
Common questions about Christmas scams
A convincing message can still be fraudulent. These checks are useful whether the request arrives by email, text message or chat.
How can I check a delivery text safely?
Open the courier’s official website or app yourself and enter the tracking number there. Do not use the link in the message. If you do not have a tracking number, contact the retailer through details you already trust.
Can a scam appear inside a real email conversation?
Yes. If an email account has been compromised, a criminal may reply within an existing conversation and change bank details or payment instructions. Verify payment changes by phone using a number you already have.
What should I do after entering a password?
Contact your IT team immediately so they can help secure the account, review sign-in activity and check for other changes. If the password is used elsewhere, those accounts also need attention.
Who should I contact after making a payment?
Contact your bank immediately and explain that the payment may be fraudulent. Then notify your IT team and the person or business that was impersonated. Acting quickly gives everyone more options.
Unsure about a message? Check before you act
Connected Platforms clients can contact our team for help reviewing a suspicious email, text message, sign-in prompt or payment request.
