December Security Checklist for Businesses: Stay Protected from Scams During the Busy Season

December 12, 2025

As the year winds down and holiday activity ramps up, many businesses experience their busiest - and potentially most vulnerable - time of year. Increased transactions, seasonal staffing, higher volumes of email, and year-end financial tasks create opportunities for scammers to strike.

At Ridgewood Savings Bank, we’ve spent more than a century helping local businesses grow stronger through good times and challenging ones. We know that when small businesses thrive, communities thrive, and that’s why we’re proud to offer tools and guidance to help you build financial confidence every step of the way.

1. Strengthen Your Business Online Banking Security

Your digital tools work hard for you during the holiday season. Make sure they’re protected.

• Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
• Review user permissions regularly—remove access for seasonal or former employees.
• Use strong, unique passwords and update them at least quarterly.
• Monitor accounts daily for unusual activity and contact us immediately if you identify any anomalies so we can help secure your accounts.

Explore Ridgewood Business Online Banking features.

2. Watch Out for Increased Phishing and Email Scams

Scammers know businesses move fast in December. That’s why phishing attempts — fake invoices, urgent wire requests, impersonation emails — can increase dramatically this month.

• Emails requesting “urgent” payment changes;
• Unexpected invoices;
• Messages from executives asking to bypass standard procedures; or
• Misspellings, odd email addresses, or unusual formatting.

Remind all employees: When in doubt, verify before acting. A quick phone call can prevent a costly mistake.

View our helpful 6 Tips to Ensure Employees Avoid Imposter Scams video that provides valuable information in less than one minute and be sure to share it with your employees.

3. Confirm Vendor & Payment Details Before Year-End Transactions

Cybercriminals can often target year-end vendor payments, employee bonuses, and large settlement transactions by attempting to spoof or alter payment instructions.

To help protect your business:

• Where possible, confirm any changes in payment instructions by phone using a trusted phone number — do not rely on email alone.
• Use dual-control approval for wires and ACH.
• Review pending transactions daily.

4. Protect Your Business Debit & Credit Card Activity

The holiday season can see higher transaction volume, so monitoring is key.

• Set up transaction alerts for unusual activity.
• Track card use among authorized employees.
• Keep card information secure — and do not share via email.
• Review merchant accounts to ensure legitimacy.

If you notice anything suspicious with your accounts, contact us immediately so we can help secure your accounts.

5. Educate Your Team: The Strongest Defense Often Starts Internally

Even the most sophisticated security tools can’t replace well-trained staff.

Before year-end, consider hosting a quick refresher on:

• Recognizing scam emails and social engineering
• Safe handling of customer and employee data
• Internal business processes for payments and approvals
• Reporting suspicious messages or activity

Encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable asking questions and verifying requests — especially during a hectic season.

Be sure to share our informative and detail-packed Cybersecurity Strategies For Business eBook

6. Review Your Physical Security and Hardware

With more customers, deliveries, and staff during the holidays, take a moment to review:

• POS terminals and card readers for tampering
• Secure shredding of sensitive paperwork
• Locking procedures for offices and storage rooms
• Placement of security cameras and alarm systems
• Secure handling of cash and deposits

Small improvements now can help prevent big vulnerabilities later.

Stay Safe and Start the New Year Confidently

At Ridgewood Savings Bank, we’re committed to supporting and protecting local businesses all year long. By taking a few proactive steps now, you can help keep your business secure through the holiday season — and start the new year stronger than ever.

If you have questions or want help reviewing your business accounts, our Business Banking team is here to assist you.

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