You set it. You forget it. And while you’re packing for vacation, your inbox is busy broadcasting:
“I’m out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [coworker] at [email].”
Convenient—until cybercriminals see it as an open invitation.
Why Your OOO Reply Is a Gold Mine
A typical out-of-office message often reveals:
- Your name and title
- Exact dates you’re away
- Alternate contacts (with their e-mails)
- Internal team structure
- Even your travel location (“At a conference in Chicago…”)
That intel gives hackers two things:
- Timing – They know exactly when you’ll be off the grid.
- Targeting – They know who to impersonate and when to hit.
How the Scam Plays Out
- Your auto-reply goes out.
- A hacker mimics you or your backup contact.
- They fire off an “urgent” request for a wire transfer, password or sensitive file.
- Your coworker, thinking it’s legit, complies.
- You return to discover, say, $45,000 wired to “the vendor.”
This isn’t rare—especially when your execs or sales teams are on the move.
Why Traveling Teams Are Especially Vulnerable
- Personal assistants and admins juggle high-volume emails.
- They’re used to handling payments and sensitive documents.
- Under pressure, one convincing phishing email can slip through.
How To Protect Your Business From Auto-Reply Exploits
1. Keep It Vague
Skip granular details.
Good: “I’m currently out of office and will reply when I return. For urgent help, contact our main line at [phone].”
Bad: “I’m in Chicago until Thursday—reach out to Sara at sara@company.com.”
2. Train Your Team
- Never act on money requests via email alone.
- Always verify unusual asks through a secondary channel (phone call or video chat).
3. Harden Your E-mail Security
- Deploy advanced filters and anti-spoofing tools.
- Lock down your domain against impersonation.
4. Enforce MFA Everywhere
Even if passwords leak, accounts stay locked.
5. Partner With a Proactive IT Team
A true security partner watches logins, flags phishing attempts and alerts you before disaster strikes.
Ready To Vacation Without Becoming A Hacker’s Next Target?
We build cybersecurity systems designed to keep you safe—whether you’re in the office or on a beach.
Click Here To Book A FREE Security Assessment and we’ll pinpoint your weakest links, shore up your defenses, and let you enjoy your time off with zero email regrets.