McAfee recently released its “12 Scams of Christmas,” and this list is not one any consumer should miss. Identity theft incidents increase during the holidays, mostly because people get into a rush and forget about anything other than getting the right gift for Grandma. Check out this list and remember to stay vigilant this holiday season.
1. Mobile malware — Mainly affecting Android devices, this may include malicious QR codes.
2. Malicious mobile applications — While many shoppers will download apps to help them find holiday deals, some aren’t what they seem and could transmit your data.
3. Phony Facebook promotions and contests — McAfee warns that scammers have planted phony promotions and contests on Facebook that could swipe your personal information when you fill out the “entry form.”
4. Scareware — If all this talk of malware is putting the fear of God in you, choose your antivirus software carefully, lest you wind up downloading and paying for phony software.
5. Holiday screen savers — Find a different way to decorate your computer, as there are instances of Christmas-themed screen savers that are actually malware. And beware of fake e-cards as well.
6. Mac malware — Yes, even Macs can get malware, with McAfee finding 5,000 pieces of Mac-targeting malware as of late 2010.
7. Holiday phishing scams — Phony letters from UPS or your bank could take advantage of holiday commerce to get you to give up personal data.
8. Online coupon scams — If you plan to use coupons to save this holiday season, choose carefully and deal only with reputable sites.
9. Mystery shopper scams — Being a mystery shopper may sound like a fun job, but if you get a text offering you one of these gigs, be warned that it’s probably a scammer who will ask for your personal information in exchange for “hiring” you.
10. Hotel “wrong transaction” malware e-mails — McAfee cites one scam in which the victim gets an e-mail ostensibly from a hotel and is asked to fill out a phony refund form to correct an alleged “wrong transaction.”
11. “It” gift scams — Whatever the hot holiday item turns out to be, expect scam websites to offer it at a discount — in exchange for your data, of course.
12. “I’m away from home” scammers — If you’re planning on traveling for the holidays, you might want to reconsider telling everyone about it on social networks, lest a burglar take notice and rob your home while you’re away.