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On Your Side: BBB's 'Twelve scams of Christmas'

Whether you started shopping in November or you still have a full holiday list, this weekend the countdown begins for shoppers rushing to get something special under the tree. Meanwhile, scammers use this time of year to prey on those spending money.

Whether you started shopping in November or you still have a full holiday list, this weekend the countdown begins for shoppers rushing to get something special under the tree. Meanwhile, scammers use this time of year to prey on those spending money. The Better Business Bureau tracked the following top holiday scams for 2017:

Holiday E-Cards are used by scammers on unsuspecting recipients who open the email greeting which can contain a hidden computer virus. Avoid opening electronic cards from unfamiliar senders:

  • Be wary if you are required to enter personal information to open the card;
  • Avoid opening suspicious emails but if you do and see an attachment that ends in “.exe” which indicates an execute command and could download a virus, do not open it.

Fake Shipping Notifications also trick consumers by impersonating a legitimate shipping company like FedEx or UPS. If you are expecting an actual shipment delivery, use the original email sent by the company or type the tracking number into a website. Avoid clicking on the link of an unsolicited email even if it claims to be tracking your delivery.

MORE TIPS: The 12 Scams of Christmas: What to Look For and How to Avoid Them

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