As library professionals, we’re known for helping people—especially during the holidays. But this season, that generosity can make us a target for holiday scams.
Scammers are getting smarter. They’re using fake fundraisers, spoofed websites, and phishing emails to prey on public institutions like libraries. Why? Because you’re trusted, often underfunded, and usually wearing too many hats to catch every trick in the book.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect your staff, systems, and patron data from holiday scams.
🚨 Why Libraries Are a Target for Holiday Scams
Cybercriminals know that public libraries often:
- Promote community causes and donations during the holidays
- Use public Wi-Fi and shared computers
- Operate without dedicated IT support
- Rely on staff who aren’t trained in cybersecurity awareness
One wrong click can lead to phishing, ransomware, data leaks, or public embarrassment—exactly the kind of scenario that leads to panicked calls from the board or complaints from patrons.
🧠 How to Spot Fake Fundraisers and Fraudulent Charities
Before you or your staff donate or promote a campaign, do a quick check for these scam red flags:
- Unverified organizer or vague connection to the recipient
- Requests for gift cards, Venmo, or cryptocurrency
- Broken or suspicious links lacking “https” encryption
- Stories that feel overly emotional or too perfect to be real
Use trusted sites like Charity Navigator to verify any organization.
🔐 Holiday Scams Are a Cybersecurity Threat
Don’t think of these as just donation scams—they’re cybersecurity threats in disguise.
Scammers use these tactics to:
- Phish for login credentials
- Trick staff into downloading malware
- Spoof vendor invoices or payment links
- Compromise shared devices used by patrons
They use the same techniques we discussed in our pillar article on phishing attacks—proving how a fake email can quickly turn into a full-blown breach.
✅ 5 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Library During the Holidays
1. Create a Library Giving Policy
Establish how and where your library endorses charitable causes. Use it to vet requests before promoting them via email or social media.
2. Train Staff in Scam Awareness
Hold a short session to walk staff through the most common scams targeting nonprofits and libraries—especially during year-end fundraising season.
3. Promote Only Verified Giving Channels
Use trusted charity websites. Avoid sharing crowdfund links without verification.
4. Check Every Link You Share
Double-check that your newsletter or blog isn’t linking to a fraudulent website. Use tools like Whois Lookup to verify domains.
5. Cultivate a “Wait Before You Click” Culture
Remind staff that real urgency can wait five minutes. A quick pause can prevent a major mess.
🧩 Internal Tips You Can Post in the Staff Room
To help reinforce safe tech habits, post this checklist somewhere visible:
- Don’t donate from shared computers
- Verify links before clicking or forwarding
- Look for “https” in URLs
- Never pay with gift cards or crypto
- Report anything suspicious to your IT provider or tech support team
💡 Want a Holiday Cybersecurity Checkup for Your Library?
If you’re unsure how secure your systems are—or how prepared your team is for phishing and donation scams—we offer a free cybersecurity readiness review just for Indiana libraries.