Christmas Messages: Holiday ID Theft Scams

Christmas messages that can cost you everything you own and are all wrapped around the holiday seasons and thieves trying to steal your identity.

Identity theft is at an all time high and is even worse when it comes to the holidays.

Thieves love the holidays because the “pickings” are so abundant and easy.

Here are just a few of the “Christmas Messages” you don’t want to receive and need to be knowledgeable about so you can protect yourself and your loved ones from holiday identity theft scams.

Christmas Scam – Fake Delivery Service Invoices

Through email, the thief will require users to give them credit card details to alleged credit accounts, or request they open Customs form or online invoice so they can receive their package.

When this is competed the thief is then able to steal your identity or, automatically install malware on your computer.

Either way, your identity is compromised and stolen and the thief wins again.

Go to identity theft scams for more scams to become knowledgeable about.

Christmas Messages Scam – Phishing Scams When You Contribute To Charity

One of the biggest scams around the holidays happens when you are contributing to charity.

Thieves, or hackers, as they are more commonly known, will send emails that look like they are legitimately sent from a charitable organization when in real-life these are fake web sites that are designed to steal credit card information, donations and your identity.

Another Identity Theft Scam – Holiday E-card Dangers

Thieves love to take advantage of people who send e-cards for the holidays. McAfee Labs uncovered a worm masked Coca-Cola, McDonald’s promotions and Hallmark e-cards.

PowerPoint e-mail attachments that are holiday themed are very popular with cyber criminals. Be aware of what you’re clicking into.

Christmas Messages Scam – “Luxury” Buying For Holidays

A new holiday scam leads the shopper to sites that are malware-ridden and offer luxury gifts from TAG Heuer, Gucci and Cartier, to name a few, that are “discounted”.

These cyber criminals even use logos of the Better Business Bureau that are fraudulent to trick you into buying these expensive products that you never receive.

Holiday Identity Theft – Cybercriminal Wants To Be “New Friend”

Be extremely aware of social networks, but especially at this time of the year.

One particular scam that is gaining in popularity is the thief sending very “real” looking “new friend request” emails from one of the social networking sites.

Clicking on one of these emails automatically installs malware on your computer, and enables the thief to steal all your personal information.

Christmas Messages Scam - Fraud In Auction Sites

Thieves love to stay hidden and attack using the auction sites. Be aware of any deal that appears to be “too good to be real”.

They usually are, and many times the items purchased never reach you.

Delivery Packages Left At Your Door

A thief's dream are packages, when delivered, especially at Christmas, are left on your doorstep. This allows the thief to not only steal your packages but also steal your identity.

This would cause you to have a very "un-merry" Christmas.

If you work late, or can't be there when the package is delivered, try to make arrangements to have the packages delivered to a relative that may live close by, or a neighbor.

Fed Ex and UPS packages can sit by your door for hours and because of this, criminals are very aware and very enticed by this knowledge. Please don't leave yourself vulnerable, especially during the holiday season.

Christmas Messages Scam – Scams That Steal Your Password

Thieves’ love the holidays because it gives them access to a huge mass of people and the more people that are scammed the more profitable it is for a thief.

A thief will use an inexpensive tool to “capture” a person’s password and send out malware that will do what is called “keylogging”. This records your keystrokes.

Once the thief has access to your passwords he can wipe out your bank account and credit cards before you know what hit you. You may not realize this happened until you check your accounts or statements.

For more information to prevent identity theft or, if a victim of this horrible crime see identity theft victims and ways to prevent identity theft.

These are just a few of the more common scams that are magnified during the holidays, so please be aware of them so all your Christmas messages can be merry.

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