The holidays are a time for parties, family traditions, maybe the odd ugly sweater and, of course, scams. Internet security firm McAfee has released its annual list of the 12 scams of the holiday season to help ensure you don't pick up any unwanted gifts when shopping online this year.
Shipping Notifications
At the top of the list is shipping notifications that are actually phishing scams. With more people shopping online you're more apt to click on these bogus notifications.
Fake Charities
Tis the season to donate, but it's best to go directly to the charity's site.
Deceptive Advertising
Remember, deals that are too good to be true probably are. Dangerous links and phony contests are ways scammers can steal your personal information.
Unwanted Charges
Keep an eye on your credit statements for unwanted charges and stay on top of the news for any security breaches at major retailers. Last year, thousands of customers’ personal information was compromised when Target was hit with a breach.
ATM Skimming
Make sure you protect your PIN when using ATM’s and take a close look at the ATM for anything suspicious before withdrawing cash.
Bogus E-cards
Digital e-cards can spread holiday cheer, but make sure you know who they are from before downloaded them onto your computer.
iScams
Even the most festive looking apps can contain malware which can access and infect your smartphone, so beware.
Holiday Travel Scams
More people travel during the holidays, so keep your eye out for fake online travel deals.
Bank Robocalls
Don’t be a victim of a fake phone call from your bank saying your account has been compromised and requesting personal information to make changes to your account.
Smartphone Thieves
With the busy holiday season, people are more likely to forget their smartphones in public places. Make sure you double check to ensure you have it on you.
Bad USB Drives
Free USB drives given out as promotions during the holidays can give hackers an easy way to spread malware to your computer.
Year in Review Links
There are many “Year in Review” articles online at this time of year, but links from phony sources could infect your computer.