Holiday Security Alert: Common Scams Targeting Michigan Businesses (and How to Avoid Them)
Every holiday season, businesses across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Canton, and Southeast Michigan see a rise in scams and suspicious activity. With higher foot traffic, seasonal employees, package deliveries, and year-end operations, criminals look for opportunities to exploit busy schedules.
At Tier One Technologies, we help protect local businesses with commercial security systems, access control, and surveillance — and we also believe in educating the community. Below are the most common holiday scams we see each year and how your business can avoid them.
1. Fake Delivery Drivers & Package Pickup Scams
Many scams involve individuals pretending to be:
Delivery drivers
Courier employees
Package pickup contractors
They often claim they’re:
Picking up an incorrect shipment
Dropping off a package that requires a signature
Delivering equipment that needs to be placed inside
Red flags:
No branded vehicle
No uniform or badge
Unclear paperwork
Pushy behavior
How to avoid it:
Always verify shipments with your internal team
Use access control to restrict entry
Keep surveillance cameras covering loading zones and rear entrances
2. Fake Service or Maintenance Calls
Businesses report scammers impersonating:
Fire alarm inspectors
Security companies
Utility technicians
IT contractors
They often say:
“We’re here for your scheduled service visit.”
Protect your business:
Require written verification before allowing entry
Use visitor logs or mobile credentials
Never let someone access wiring closets, IT rooms, or back offices without confirmation
3. Gift Card Email Scams Targeting Managers
This scam peaks during the holidays. Attackers impersonate executives or managers and email employees asking to:
Buy gift cards
Send gift card codes
Pay an urgent invoice
Warning signs:
Unusual urgency
Slightly misspelled email addresses
Requests outside normal business processes
Always confirm verbally before sending money or gift cards.
4. Holiday Employment & Payroll Scams
Seasonal businesses often hire quickly — and scammers exploit this.
Common tactics include:
Fake employees submitting fraudulent payroll info
Imposters attempting to collect paychecks
Stolen identities used for new hire paperwork
Protect yourself by scanning IDs and verifying documentation.
5. After-Hours Theft & Tailgating
During the holidays, businesses experience:
More deliveries
Extended hours
Extra foot traffic
Criminals use this opportunity to slip through doors behind employees (tailgating).
Prevention:
Use access control with door alerts
Train staff to challenge unknown individuals
Monitor entrances with cameras
6. Charity Donation Scams Targeting Businesses
Scammers visit businesses claiming to collect donations for:
Veterans
Children’s charities
Local fire departments
Food drives
Most are legitimate — but some are not. Always verify the organization.
7. “End of Year Invoice” Fraud
Attackers send:
Fake invoices
Fake renewal notices
“Annual service charges”
“Security system fees”
They look legitimate and often slip through during the busy end-of-year rush.
Solution:
Use purchasing controls, and verify all invoices before payment.
How Tier One Technologies Helps Protect Michigan Businesses
Security technology can prevent or deter many of these scams:
Security Cameras: Monitor entrances, deliveries, and high-traffic areas
https://www.tieronetechnologies.com/security-camerasAccess Control: Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering your building
https://www.tieronetechnologies.com/access-controlSecurity Systems: Improve after-hours protection and alerting
https://www.tieronetechnologies.com/security-systems
We work with businesses across Southeast Michigan to strengthen their security during the holidays — and all year long.