By BILL TOLAND
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Don't let Christmastime warmth cloud your good sense. Scammers and thieves aren't beneath preying on you while you're busy spreading cheer and good will -- in fact, they're more likely to hit over the next month, knowing that you're desperate for the perfect gift, that your car is loaded with expensive electronics or that you're feeling a bit more generous than usual.
McAfee Inc., the computer-security-software firm, rang a warning bell recently when it issued its list of the 12 most dangerous online scams to be wary of this season.
And some other agencies -- from the Pennsylvania state attorney general's office to the Better Business Bureau -- chimed in with warnings that thefts and scams can spike during the holiday season.
So it's plain that you should keep your eyes peeled for the Scams of Christmas. Here are 12 that shoppers should be aware of:
1. First, a commonsense suggestion: When out shopping, if at all possible,
store your presents in the trunk. Leaving a new DVD player box in plain sight on the passenger-side front seat can lead to crimes of opportunity.
2.
Craigslist and eBay fraud. Does that $199 digital camera seem too good to be true? It probably is. Do your due diligence when buying from strangers or online auction sites, especially when it comes to expensive electronics or the must-have Christmas toy. Amazon.com (or good old-fashioned bricks-and-mortar retailers) might be more expensive, but during the holidays, they're also more trustworthy.
3.
Charity: Don't throw your loose change into just any red kettle. Most solicitations and toy drives are on the up-and-up, but, unfortunately, you can't trust everybody. Don't be afraid to ask someone what organization they're representing, if it's not plainly evident, and don't feel bad about Googling an obscure charity to learn more about it.
This goes for virtual change kettles, too -- fraudulent charitable solicitations are prevalent online in December.
4. You probably use your
credit card more often during the holidays, and that gives scammers more opportunities to steal your credit-card information and identity. Be extra-careful buying from online vendors that you're not familiar with. Review your December and January credit-card and bank-card statements as soon as they arrive in the mail to check for any unauthorized charges.
5.
Fake delivery e-mails: If you bought an item online, or if someone is sending you a gift, it might be coming in the mail, or via FedEx or UPS. So watch out for a surge in e-mails purportedly from FedEx, UPS or the U.S. Postal Service, telling you that there is something wrong with your delivery, or that the gift you ordered can be claimed only after you supply your name and credit-card number for verification purposes.
Related scam: You get a flier or notice on your door, saying you missed the delivery of your package, and asking you to call a "toll-free" number to check on the status of your delivery. But the number is actually a toll call, charging you $5 a minute.
6. If you get an e-mail from Hallmark.com or some other greeting-card company telling you that you've received an
online Christmas card, be wary. Check to see if the card came from a name or e-mail address you recognize. If it doesn't, delete it -- it's probably a phishing attempt, aimed at either hacking your computer or getting you to divulge personal information. Or it might contain a worm or virus, wreaking havoc for havoc's sake, according to McAfee.
