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Holiday Scams

Watch out, your holiday gift could be a scam.  Get your money's worth by avoiding these glitches.


Fake Gift Cards: Counterfeit gift cards are sometimes offered via classified or online auction sites at a tremendous discount to the face value. That alone should be the tip-off.

Scummy Free Downloads:
December often brings a barrage of websites offering free downloads for holiday ringtones and desktop wallpaper.  Experts warn many carry spyware, Trojan horses and other computer issues that might allow far-away crooks to obtain your personal information.


Phony Charities:
People pray on the giving spirit of the season.  Scammers solicit "donations" for nonexistent charities.  Watch out, it's done via phone, on foot or over email.

Dubious Charities: They may be official charities, but they aren't so well run.  Sometimes they have names similar to respectable charities, so be careful who you're giving your donations to.

Bogus Gift Websites:
If you're surfing the web and come across a site that has offers too good to be true, they probably are.   It's easy for any conman to establish a seemingly legitimate internet presence.  Stick to sites you've heard of or used before. 

Delivery Verification Requests: 
This ploy also surfaces around now.  An email comes to you that looks like it's from FedEx, UPS or the Postal Service saying that something you ordered can't be delivered until you supply verification and a credit card.  Don't do it.

Source: www.forbes.com