Real estate businesses should be on high alert for the holiday-season cybercrime surge

As the festive season approaches, your mind may be on Black Friday deals, unwrapping Christmas presents, and counting down the hours to the New Year. But while you’re winding down, cybercriminals are ramping up. The holiday period sees a sharp surge in online scams, phishing attempts, and data theft, with criminals exploiting the fact that many people and businesses are distracted. For property practitioners handling sensitive client information and financial transactions, this rise in cybercrime poses a real and present danger.

The perfect storm of distraction and opportunity

The festive season brings a welcome slowdown for property professionals and their clients, but it also opens the door to a rise in cybercrime. With minds focused on holiday shopping, family gatherings, and year-end admin, vigilance often slips, creating the perfect conditions for cybercriminals to find success. For real estate agencies handling sensitive client data, contracts, and payments, the risks multiply during this time of distraction.

Many property practitioners run their own Black Friday deals or seasonal specials to attract buyers and tenants, whether it’s discounted commission rates or limited-time rental promotions. While these campaigns can boost business, they also create openings for cybercriminals to create fake lookalike ads, websites, or emails that mimic legitimate agency or brokerage offers. Unsuspecting clients may fall for these scams, handing over personal details or making payments to fraudulent accounts.

Another major reason for the uptick in attacks is timing. Criminals know that IT teams are often short-staffed over the holidays, leaving fewer people available to spot and stop unusual activity. Research shows that ransomware attacks are far more likely to be launched after hours or on weekends, when response times are slower. Clients making deposits or rental payments at year-end are also prime targets, as cybercriminals exploit rushed decisions and reduced verification.

Online shopping scams are another seasonal weapon. Fraudulent websites and phishing emails disguised as festive deals or delivery notices lure unsuspecting buyers into sharing personal details or making fake payments. Property practitioners themselves, juggling year-end workloads with holiday distractions, may also fall for these traps, risking both personal and client information. Team members embracing remote working and using unsecured Wi-Fi networks may also further heighten vulnerabilities.

Staying cyber safe during the festive season

Despite the constant threat of cybercrime, Prop Data’s cybersecurity poll revealed a worrying gap: only 19.1% feel “fully prepared” and confident they “have the right tools and habits in place”. With the festive season being a peak time for cyberattacks, this should serve as a wake-up call for agencies and brokerages to tighten their defences.

• Keep systems up to date: Apply patches and updates across all software, operating systems, and applications before the holiday break to close common entry points for cybercriminals.
  
  
• Boost employee awareness: Provide quick training refreshers to permanent and seasonal staff on how to spot phishing attempts, suspicious links, or fraudulent festive offers.
  
  
• Strengthen access controls: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong, unique passwords to protect sensitive client and business data.
  
  
• Secure your networks: Monitor traffic closely, ensure firewalls and antivirus tools are active, and avoid using public Wi-Fi for business tasks.
  
  
• Monitor your brand online: Regularly search your business name and social media platforms to check if scammers are running fake campaigns or impersonating your agency or brokerage.
  
  
• Have a plan: Back up critical data, test your recovery process, and make sure your incident response plan is clear and actionable.

Readiness is your best defence

With the right tools, habits, and vigilance, property practitioners can keep client data secure, maintain trust, and avoid costly disruptions. Preparation today means you can enjoy the festive season with confidence, knowing your business is protected.