While the holidays are a time for giving, they’re unfortunately also a time for taking, and the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of the top 12 Christmas scams.
As people are buying more gifts and giving to charities, real-life Scrooges are taking advantage of that generosity. Scammers try to swindle consumers out of their personal information and hard-earned money, the BBB says.
WATCH: Protecting yourself from online holiday fraud
“With the holiday shopping and charitable donation season upon us, scammers are preying on people’s generosity,” BBB’s Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen said. “They can be cleverly disguised as reputable charities and retailers looking to swindle shoppers out of their hard-earned money and personal information. Be sure you’re only dealing with trustworthy and official businesses this holiday season.”
So, in the spirit of savvy consumerism, the BBB is offering the 12 scams of Christmas:
12. Malware e-cards:
Viruses and malware often travel in email attachments or links. Don’t click on emails from someone you don’t know or a name you don’t recognize. When it doubt, delete!
11. Stranded grandkids:
It’s the classic “grandparent scam.” If your grandchild, other relative or friend calls or emails to say they were robbed or hurt overseas, check before wiring money.
10. Pickpockets:
Keep your purse or wallet secure when shopping. Don’t get overburdened or put shopping bags down, even for a moment. Thieves are watching!
9. Stolen gift cards:
Buy gift cards only from reputable dealers, not online or from individuals. It’s easy for a scammer to sell you the card and then pull off the funds before you can even give the gift.
8. Santa scammers:
What could be jollier than a letter from Santa addressed directly to your child? Make sure the site is real and not gathering your data for identity theft purposes.
7. Fake charities:
Charities count on end-of-the-year giving, so be generous if you can. But be careful, too, because scammers set up fake charities with similar sounding names.
6. Online ads for hot toys and gadgets:
When stores sell out, you may find the items online on different websites than the official retailer’s but for a much steeper price. Some sellers will take your money and run, leaving you without the gift or money to buy it elsewhere. It’s easy to mimic a real website, with logos and terminology. Red flags: “http” (not the more secure “https”), no contact information, asking for payment by wire or money card.
5. Travel scams:
With busy holiday travel, bargains may be tempting. Be cautious when booking through online ads, never wire money to someone you don’t know and ask for references.
4. Romance scams:
Everyone wants a special someone under the mistletoe, so holidays are prime time for scams. Be careful with an online sweetheart who gets cozy too fast or asks for money.
3. Puppy scams:
Be very careful buying pets online, especially during the holidays. You may get a puppy mill pooch with problems, or you may get nothing at all because it was a scam.
2. Social Media Gift Exchanges:
This trending scam happens on Facebook or Instagram and sounds like a great deal: purchase one gift and get 36 in return. Some people have even posted photos of the gifts they’ve received. However, this scam relies on constantly recruiting new participants, making it mathematically impossible to sustain. This seasonal scam is actually a pyramid scheme which is illegal.
1. Mystery Shopper scams:
A text message from a stranger entices you to take up some easy part-time work with promises of $400 or more for every assignment you complete. In reality, it’s an employment scam that uses fraudulent cheques that also phishes for your financial information and leaves you empty handed and with an empty wallet.
Watch below: While the holidays are a time for giving, they’re unfortunately also a time for taking and the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of the Top 12 Christmas scams. Emily Mertz reports.
For more tips, visit bbb.org.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published on Dec. 12 but was updated on Dec. 13 to correct outdated information.
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