Cybercriminals Don’t Take Holidays—But You Can Still Stay Ahead

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and celebration—but also prime time for cyber scams. With online shopping, travel, and end-of-year distractions, attackers know this is when many people let their guard down.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season—whether you're online shopping from your couch, booking a last-minute trip, or checking work email between festivities.

1. Secure Your Online Shopping
   Holiday shopping often means opening dozens of tabs, tracking sales, and entering your credit card information across multiple websites. That’s exactly what cybercriminals count on.
   Watch out for:
   •    Fake retail sites mimicking major brands
   •    Phishing emails offering too-good-to-be-true deals
   •    “Order confirmation” scams asking you to verify payment details
   Tip: Stick to trusted retailers and look for “https” in the URL before entering payment information.
2. Travel Smart, Browse Safer
   If you’re hitting the road or flying this holiday:
   •    Avoid public Wi-Fi when checking emails or logging into accounts
   •    Use a VPN when possible
   •    Turn off Bluetooth and auto-connect features when not in use
   Tip: Make sure your devices and apps are fully updated before you go.
3. Holiday Greetings or Holiday Phishing?
   Cybercriminals love to disguise malware and scams as holiday cheer.
   •    Be cautious with unexpected eCards, attachments, or links—even if they appear to come from someone you know
   •    Look for misspellings, generic greetings, or email addresses that don’t match the sender’s name
   Tip: Verify before clicking or downloading. When in doubt, pick up the phone or send a separate message to confirm.
4. Year-End “Cleanup” and Credential Checks
   Before the year wraps up, it’s a great time to do some digital hygiene:
   ✅ Review your account permissions and close unused accounts
   ✅ Change passwords that may be reused across platforms
   ✅ Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) where available
   ✅ Monitor your financial accounts for unusual activity
5. Stay Vigilant with Seasonal Charity Scams
   This is the season of giving—and unfortunately, charity scams spike in December.
   If you’re planning to donate:
   •    Research the organization independently (don't rely on links in emails or texts)
   •    Look for clear contact information and donation history
   •    Avoid high-pressure or emotional appeals asking for immediate payment

Final Reminder
We hope your holiday season is filled with joy, peace, and connection—not fraud, identity theft, or data loss. With just a few simple precautions, you can enjoy everything the season offers—safely. 

From all of us at First Hawaiian Bank, to you and your family:
Happy Holidays and a Safe New Year!