The 12 Scams of Christmas

While the "most wonderful time of the year" might be filled with tasty cookies, elegantly wrapped gifts and beautiful holiday lights, it's also filled with people who are trying to take your money.

Every year, some of the same scams plus a few new ones go around. Be vigilant about your money and personal information by avoiding these 12 scams of Christmas.

Fake Websites

You see an ad or get an email about a great deal. You click the link, but instead of taking you to a legitimate retailer, you end up at a phishing site that is not legit. Review the sender's address. Only shop on sites with "https//" addresses.

Online Gift Exchanges

Your friend posts on social media about a gift exchange. You buy six gifts, but 36 show up in your mailbox!

This is a pyramid scheme. Don't submit your information or buy any gifts for strangers online.

Emergency Scams

This involves someone pretending to be your child or grandchild. The person claims to have had an accident or other emergency and needs money as soon as possible. Verify who is calling you before you transfer funds.

Holiday Jobs

Avoid online job applications with companies you've never heard of.

Skip any jobs that require you to pay a fee, buy supplies or purchase equipment.

Free Gift Cards

Nobody legitimately gives away free gift cards. If you get a pop-up ad with such an offer, use an ad blocker.

These are typically phishing schemes or nefarious links that could give you the gift of malware.

Electronic Holiday Cards

Perhaps your friend or relative was trying to cut down on expenses and decided to send electronic holiday cards this year.

On the other hand, that electronic card could be a virus or phishing scam. Avoid opening any email that has an .exe attachment. Only open emails from email addresses you know.

Package Notifications

An email states that FedEx tried to deliver a package. All you need to do is click on a link to confirm.

These fake package notifications are phishing schemes. Legit shipment notifications contain your tracking number.

Fake Charities

You might be feeling generous and want to give to charity.

Do your research before donating any money. Responding to an email solicitation for donations could result in identity theft or stealing of your money.

Letters From Santa

Emails soliciting letters from your child to Santa could be looking to get your child's image or information. Do not respond to these scams.

Christmas Puppies

Scam artists may advertise puppies for adoption.

Do your research about legit breeders and accurate prices before responding.

Payment Demands

An email invoice that you owe money could be a scam.

Don't click any links in the email. Log into your accounts from a new browser window to check.

Travel Offers

Airline tickets and hotels are pricey. If you get offers that sound too good to be true, don't respond.

Do your own research to find travel deals.

Keep yourself updated on the newest scams by regularly checking the consumer news and current events stories. Be vigilant with your data and money, especially when you are stressed about politics or simply worn out. Step aside from the politics and stick with learning more about scams in the news and current events that affect you.

Source: http://www.emergencyemail.org



Theresa Todman, Managing Partner/CEO of B&M Financial Management Services, LLC . Theresa works with small business owners and entrepreneurs to assist them with financial management and creating organized systems and procedures. She specializes in bookkeeping, accounting, QuickBooks solutions, small business tax issues and consulting.

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