Cyber scams are everywhere, and they only seem to intensify around the holiday season.
Four online holiday scams to watch out for
1. Fake e-cards and gift cards: Email greeting cards are increasingly popular with the public — and the bad guys. A fake greeting can carry evil things like identity theft tools, spyware, and adware. Or it can just be obscene. Click on cards from people you know. Never click on attachments. Remember a legitimate e-card won't have spelling errors.
2. Fake charities requesting funds: People feel charitable during the holidays and scammers know it. Make sure a charity solicitation is legitimate by visiting CharityNavigator.org and do a little research before opening up your wallet.
3. Puppy Scams: Not only are they cute and cuddly, but puppies are a great way for scammers to separate consumers from their money. This scam comes in the form of an advertisement, typically from an online message board, and perpetrators often send photographs of dogs, agree on a price, and then begin asking for extra money for shipping, veterinarian fees and other fees. When the buyer goes to the airport to pick up the dog, there's no dog and they're out their money. If you're going to buy a puppy for Christmas, go to a local shelter or local breeder.
4. Fake package delivery failure notices: This is another popular scam that ramps up every holiday season. You get an email that says the Postal Service or a delivery company like FedEx could not make the delivery. The email contains a link that you are supposed to click on to sort the matter out. Don't click on the link.
A variation is a phone call that advises you there is a delivery fee for a package. Not true. Don't give any information.
