Beware these scams at Christmas

It pays to be aware of these scams at Christmas...

Like it or not, the Christmas season is upon us.

And with the Christmas season comes the opportunity for scam artists to con their way to some extra cash.

Yes, while most of us embrace the season of goodwill there are some bad apples out there who look upon the festive period as the easiest time of the year to take YOUR money.

Here are the five most common Christmas scams to look out for:

1. Counterfeit goods websites and online auctions

Online shopping has revolutionised the way we buy things and at Christmas when you’re trying to juggle a suddenly packed social calendar along with the mountain of work that needs to be finished before the Christmas break, shopping online is a Godsend.

Who needs the hustle and bustle of the high street when you can put your feet up with a glass of mulled wine and shop from the comfort of your living room? However, find yourself getting scammed through online shopping and suddenly that hustle and bustle seems a small price to pay for security and peace of mind,

Counterfeit goods websites pop up every year around Christmas time. They’re often called something festive too - a sign that once the lights are down and the tinsel is packed away you won’t see them for dust. Scam artists set up the sites offering all manner of weird and wonderful gift ideas, they’ll happily take your order - and your money - but you won’t see any sign of the present you ordered. Make sure you only buy from reputable stores and if in doubt, don’t do it. Read How to spot fake goods for more information.

Online auction sites can be just as dangerous. Yes, it’s great if you can pay a reduced price for something by bidding online and it’s a real coup if you manage to purchase something that has sold out in all of the high street shops, but if the item never actually makes it to you it’s not worth the bother is it? Check out the sellers before making any purchases, arrange a date for when the parcel should arrive and if possible pay by cheque so that if it doesn’t arrive within the set time frame you can cancel the payment.

2. Ecards

We’re all well aware now of the need to protect the environment, which is why many people choose to send ecards at Christmas instead of wasting paper and card. It’s a nice idea but it’s not without risk. Fraudsters have already tapped into this market too. They send out notification emails, informing you that an ecard is waiting to be viewed. You click the link, wondering which of your friends is the latest to join the technological revolution at last, only to find the card doesn’t exist and instead your computer is left with a nasty virus that can compromise your personal data. Happy Christmas!

To make sure you don’t infect your computer this year be very careful before you click the link. Most ecard notifications will tell you who has sent the card to you. If it simply says “from a friend” or gives no detail of who sent the card it is more often than not a scam. Similarly if the notification asks you to download the card be weary, most ecard providers do not offer downloadable ecards. Most importantly, if the email asks you to input any personal data do not do it. Ecards do not require personal data or passwords to access them.

3. Scam ticket websites

Tickets to a gig or show can make a great present. Unfortunately con artists know this. Throughout the year - and especially around Christmas and big music events and festivals - scammers set up websites where you can purchase tickets to almost any event. The tickets will be set at the normal retail price and the website will look professional. But once enough money has been forked out the site will mysteriously disappear and you’ll never get those tickets - or your money back.

If you’re buying tickets online make sure you check with the event team or venue when the tickets are actually being released. Check that you can contact this company, make sure there is a working phone number and ring it to check. If there is no phone number don’t risk it. And even if there is a working number make sure there is a refund policy on offer.

Read This scam will ruin your summer for more information.

4. Phishing emails

It’s the season of goodwill so it makes sense that most of us feel a little more charitable around Christmas time. Charities, knowing this, often send out email bulletins reminding us of those less fortunate than ourselves in an attempt to encourage us to donate.

Sadly, hackers do the same, although the money they receive goes nowhere near the charity.

Hackers send out email alerts - supposedly from charitable organisations - prompting those who read them to donate. The emails contain a link to a professional looking website, often including the charity logo and looking disturbingly similar to the real websites. Kind-hearted people input their bank details thinking they’re doing something for a good cause when all they’re really doing is lining the pockets of cheats and criminals.

If you want to do a good deed this Christmas and make a donation to your favourite charity, go directly to the charity website. Do not click on any links.

5. Slimming and miracle cures.

You know how it goes, you have X many days until the work Christmas do and the dress you HAVE to wear is refusing to zip up. Or you pile on a few more pounds than you intend to over Christmas and as part of your new year’s resolution you vow to lose it by February. And then you see an advert for the ultimate slimming and weight loss method. It doesn’t require exercise, it doesn’t require dieting - it just requires the juice of newly discovered fruit from the Amazon rain forest, handily packaged into capsules and a course of what look rather similar to laxatives. Oh and five monthly payments of 49.95.

Don’t do it! You know it’s too good to be true. You just really, really want to believe it can work. Well, save yourself a fortune and face facts, it won’t. The Office of Fair Trading has revealed that miracle health scams affect about 200,000 people every year at a cost of an estimated £20 million. Don’t be one of them.

This is a classic article which has been recently updated.

More: 5 disgusting scams we hate | Watch out for these social networking scams