As you get ready to do your holiday shopping be mindful of the scamster/cyber criminals, as they too are getting ready to shop but by using your persona details!! Look out for the "12 Scams of Christmas" revealed by McAfee. The company considers them as the "most dangerous online scams that computer users should be cautious of this year".
1. The iPad Scam: Don’t fall for the free iPad scam. If somebody, via mail/web prompts/online quizzes, promise you a free iPad if you buy something else-- SCRAM!!
2. "Help! I've Been Robbed" Scam: If you get a distress email requesting you to wire money or congratulating for winning a big lottery—simple trash it.
3. Fake Gift Cards: No stranger or retailer will offer you free gift cards, unless they want to use your money to get something for free—so keep away from such offers.
4. Holiday Job Offers: Avoid the job offers from unknown sources.
5. "Smishing": If you get text messages requesting you to call so to verify you’re your information, somebody is trying to steal your personal details, so hit delete.
6. Suspicious Holiday Rentals: Use only reputable firms and even call-up to ensure that the rental company is for real. As per McAfee, scamsters put up post fake holiday rental sites that ask for down payments on properties by credit card or wire transfer.
7. Recession Scams: McAfee advice to keep away from the advertised pre-qualified, low-interest loans and credit cards as they too are after your money.
8. Grinch-like Greetings: McAfee informs that the bogus e-cards can not only spread computer viruses and other malware, but may also force the computer to display obscene images, pop-up ads, or even start sending cards to contacts that appear to come from you.
9. Low Price Traps: Be weary when you see a price that's far below what other retailers are offering as it could be a scam.
10. Charity Scams: Keep away from the charity emails and even phone calls during the festive seasons as crooks try to take advantage of your generosity to rob you.
11. Dangerous Holiday Downloads: Don’t download the cool holiday-themed screensaver, jingle, or animation as it could be a virus.
12. Hotel and Airport WiFi: Be careful of using free WiFi connections in airports and hotels during the holiday season as McAfee says the holidays are a tempting time for thieves to hack into these networks and get a hold of your personal information.
In Nutshell, if you get an offer or anything that sounds too good to be true --- keep away from it!!
