12 Scams of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…A shady Santa letter!

Parents eager to see their child's reaction to a letter from Santa can easily fall for this scam that uses sentimentality to gain sensitive information. Scammers will send unsolicited emails offering to sell you an "original" handwritten letter from Santa to your child or grandchild. The email would contain a malicious link that would steal your personal information, money, and credit card information that can be used for identity theft.

To avoid the Santa letter scam, use a well-known campaign like the U.S. Post Office or a reliable site that does not ask you for money or to provide personal information.

On the second day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…two phony pop-ups!

Pop-up windows that promise unrealistic prices or special coupons are probably scams looking to steal your personal information. They are identified by a sense of urgency to "act now before the deal expires". Phrases like "massive markdowns" and "high-demand items" are used to create pressure that could lead a savvy shopper to skip basic precautions like verifying the retailer. Regardless of the offer, shoppers should always evaluate deals to offset the emotional game that scammers play to gain information or payment.

Also, beware of pop-ups saying your computer is infected with a virus and is in danger of crashing. They will provide a link to a fake anti-malware software to scare users into clicking on it. Never click on a threatening link in a pop-up. If you suspect your computer has been infected, contact a reliable computer company to assess the damage.

On the third day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…three hacked chargers!

We've all been there-we're using our phone in a public place like an airport or shopping mall when we notice the low charge notification. Public charging stations can seem like the answer, but they are in fact prime targets for criminals to steal your personal information, especially during the busy holiday season. Hackers can infect phones and devices by inserting malware using these charging ports. To prevent an attack, avoid public charging stations except for emergency and instead use your own USB cables and charging plugs.

On the fourth day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…four phony charities!

Because most people are feeling generous during the holidays, scammers prey upon that generosity by posing as charities that are either fake or a close representation of the real thing. They might reach out via phone, social media or email asking you to donate to help someone in need. Payments are typically requested by gift card or wire.

On the fifth day of Christmas the scammers gave to me…five free gift cards!

The Christmas season is the perfect time for scammers to use prepaid gift cards to gain access to your information. They might pose as volunteers asking for charitable donations or a retailer that only accepts gift cards as payment. Websites that ask you to pay with a gift card are almost always scams looking to steal your personal information. Use a retailer's gift card on their website only. Don't pay for online purchases with general gift cards.

On the sixth day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…six bogus websites!

This sophisticated scam involves taking advantage of the hustle and bustle of the season. Shoppers are busy finding bargains and making last-minute purchases and therefore are prone to being duped by a fake website mimicking a legitimate retailer. With the amount of online shopping that takes place at this time of year, it's easy for a scammer to insert a fake email claiming there's a problem with your recent order. Once you click on a link, your personal information becomes compromised. Be wary of purchasing something from an unfamiliar website or opening a random email. Make sure there's a padlock next to the URL and it begins with "https". Type the address into your browser instead of clicking on an inserted link in emails or ads.

On the seventh day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…seven pseudo shippers!

Fake shipping notifications could be phishing scams aimed at gaining access to personal information. With the increased amount of online shopping that goes on during the holidays, fake shipping scams are more common and more dangerous. Shipping scams start with a text or email indicating a problem with your delivery or payment method and a link to correct the problem. The message will appear to come from a legitimate carrier but the goal is to steal your personal information and money. Some scammers will leave delivery tags on your door requesting that you contact them to re-schedule delivery. If you respond, you'll be engaging with a scammer.

If you receive a message regarding shipping, use the vendor's website to verify status of your order and use a tracking number if possible. Don't return phone calls from an unknown person. Remember that legitimate shipping companies won't ask for payment or information.

On the eighth day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…eight evil e-cards!

Is it safe to open an e-card? The answer is yes with some precautions. Make sure you know the sender's address and avoid clicking any links or downloads which could expose you to viruses and cause loss of your personal data. Make sure the e-card company is legitimate before opening the card. Watch out for suspicious subject lines in the email and any spelling or grammar errors. Emails with attachments should never be opened. Be alert to email addresses that don't align with the domain name on the email.

On the ninth day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…nine toys pretending!

Parents desperate to find the toy of the season can fall victim to holiday knockoffs. Social media and phony websites offer fake toys throughout the season so proceed with caution. Fake toys often bypass safety standards resulting in hidden hazards for children. Online marketplaces like Amazon carry products made by third-party vendors which can cause confusion for buyers who may inadvertently buy a fake product. Reading customer reviews on both the product and seller can help you decide whether or not to trust the product.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…10 passing postings!

Seasonal job postings are prevalent during the holidays and many people are eager to take on extra work to make some holiday cash. But before applying for a job, research the company and call to verify that they are hiring. Scammers follow holiday employment trends and post legitimate-looking jobs on employment sites. If you're looking for a holiday job this year, be prepared before accepting a position or sending any information. Contact the company you're interested in using a phone number or email separate from the job posting that you know to be legitimate. Search the company name on the internet adding words like "review" or "scam" to check the company's history. Never pay any expenses or fees to get the job.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the scammers gave to me…11 apps a-scamming!

Apps for sending holiday gifts, talking to Santa or tracking his location can be scams to steal your personal information. Check reviews for apps and assess their privacy policies.

On the twelfth day of Christmas the scammers gave to me…12 mock social media!

The holidays could be hectic and social media scammers are counting on consumers being distracted. Always look into the profiles of sites where you do business. Some methods scammers might use are social media ads that lead to fake online stores; fake delivery notifications; bogus deals; and fake surveys or giveaways impersonating well-known brands.

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