You’re getting ready for a well-deserved break. You set your vacation auto-reply and start mentally checking out.
“Thanks for your message. I’ll be out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, contact [coworker’s name and email].”
Sounds helpful and polite.
But to cybercriminals? It is an open door.
That innocent message can give hackers everything they need to launch a convincing scam against your business.
And in cities like Vancouver, where many small businesses operate with lean teams and remote staff, these scams hit especially hard.
Let’s break it down.
What Cybercriminals Learn From Your Auto-Reply
A typical out-of-office message can reveal:
- Your full name and role in the company
- Dates you are unavailable
- Who to contact in your absence (often including their email)
- Internal team structures and job duties
- Even where you are and what you’re doing
That information can be pieced together to create a highly targeted attack. And when you are on vacation, you are not there to catch it.
How The Scam Unfolds
Here is a real-world example of how these attacks happen:
- Your auto-reply goes out to a cybercriminal
- They impersonate you or your coworker
- They send an urgent request to transfer money or share login credentials
- Your team, thinking it is you, follows through
- You return from vacation to a fraud report or data breach
It is that simple.
These types of scams are called business email compromise attacks, and they are one of the most common and costly threats facing small businesses today.
Why Vancouver Businesses Are Especially At Risk
Many Vancouver small businesses have team members who travel often, especially in industries like consulting, construction, retail, and real estate.
Often, someone back at the office or working remotely manages the inbox or handles urgent requests while that person is away. That person may be:
- A personal assistant
- An office manager
- An external bookkeeper
These individuals are busy and often rely on email as their primary mode of communication. A single fake message can slip through when trust and speed take priority.
How To Protect Your Business From Out-of-Office Exploits
You don’t need to stop using auto-replies. You just need to be smart about how they are written and supported. Here is what we recommend for businesses in Vancouver:
- Keep Auto-Replies Generic
Avoid sharing where you are or who to contact unless absolutely necessary.
Better version: “I am currently out of the office and will respond upon my return. For urgent matters, contact our main office at [phone number or central email].”
- Train Your Staff to Be Cautious
Make sure your team knows:
- Never send money or sensitive data based on an email alone
- Always confirm unusual requests by phone or another method
- Trust but verify, especially when urgency is involved
- Use Business-Class Email Security
Invest in email filters, domain protection, and anti-impersonation tools. These can block many fake messages before they even reach your team.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication Everywhere
Multifactor authentication stops most account takeovers, even if a password gets stolen.
It should be a non-negotiable part of your cybersecurity strategy.
- Work With a Proactive IT Team
A responsive, local managed IT services provider in Vancouver can spot threats early, monitor suspicious activity, and help your team avoid common traps.
The right partner doesn’t just react when something breaks, they help stop it from breaking in the first place.
Want to Vacation Without Worry?
At Comwell Systems Group, we help Vancouver small businesses build cybersecurity systems that work, whether you are in the office or out enjoying the sun.
Book your free security assessment today and find out where your business is vulnerable and what to do about it.
Enjoy your vacation knowing your inbox is not putting your business at risk.
