Scammers absolutely love the holiday season. There are likely to be more online scam victims during those busy shopping and travelling December days than at any other time during the year. As such, we compiled a list of Christmas scams you should beware of.

Facebook contest and coupon scams

There are more than 800 million active Facebook users interconnected in a worldwide social network that is at the heart of their online lives and digital identities. And that’s exactly why Facebook has been and can still easily be used by identity thieves to obtain your personal or financial information. So always be careful on Facebook.

Beware of Facebook scams which could take the form of fake contests, irresistible offers or coupons requiring you to hand out your personal information on untrustworthy websites.

And always use common sense.

Scareware, rogueware and fake antiviruses

Scareware, rogueware and fake antiviruses are definitely not new scam tactics, but they should still be treated very seriously. Be careful of web pages or antiviruses you’ve never heard of that are warning you of infections found on your computer. And be extra suspicious if you’re asked to pay to have those infections removed.

Infected screensavers, ringtones and e-cards

People love to download screensavers, ringtones and to send out e-cards during the holidays.  But before jumping head first into the Christmas spirit, make sure you have an updated antivirus software that will protect you from infected screensavers, ringtones, e-cards and all of your other holiday downloads. 

Christmas phishing scams

The busy shopping and travelling December days are breeding grounds for phishing scams. Be very careful of fake UPS package delivery emails, fake hotel wrong transaction emails or phony banking emails. If strange emails are asking you to enter your personal information (username, password, date of birth, etc.) on illegitimate sites, then run far, far away. Learn how to spot phishing scams.

Discounted hot item scams

Every holiday season there is one hot item that’s really hard to get. If you’re trying to find it online and found a deal that’s too good to be true, then it’s likely to be too good to be true. Very often, hot items on scam sites are advertised with huge discounts, but are never actually delivered. So stay on trustworthy websites that have very good reputations and standings with consumer watch groups.