12 Scams of Christmas:
<Return to
News>
Security software firm McAfee has released a list of
the most common cyber scams.
While the 12 scams of Christmas are out there year round, cyber criminals
have more opportunities this time of year,
said Jim Galpin, manager of Canadian consumer sales for McAfee. Here are the
most popular cyber scams to watch for:
1. Offers of free iPads to consumers
who purchase other products by providing their credit-card numbers.
2. Distress messages claiming to come
from a friend or family member needing money to be wired or transferred for
an
emergency.
3. Offers of free gift cards online
that require answering questions and providing personal information.
4. Offers of high-paying,
work-at-home jobs that require providing detailed personal information,
such as a social-insurance
numbers.
5. A new version of phishing, called
smishing, by which the recipient gets a text message that is purportedly
from their bank or a
retailer saying something is wrong with their account and asking them to
verify personal information. No bank or reputable
retailer will do this.
6. Fake holiday rentals requiring
down payments by credit card or wire transfer.
7. Email offers of low-interest loans
and credit cards for a processing fee.
8. Ecards from unknown senders, who
could be including viruses or malware. Delete them without opening them.
9. A price for a product that is way
below what competitors offer is often a clue that the website is run by
scammers.
10. Calls or emails pleading for donations to a
charity you've never heard of.
11. Holiday-themed screensavers and other
downloads that can be used to spread computer viruses and other threats.
12. Thieves using open Wi-Fi networks, such as
the ones at many airports and hotels, to steal personal information.
Avoid this last trap by having good security on your
laptop, smartphone or tablet, Galpin said.
If you're not sure how
secure the network is, don't do things like checking your bank accounts and
shopping.
Courtesy of Kamloops Daily News and The Prince George Citizen <Return to News>