Identity Theft Expert Says Watch Out for the 12 Scams of Christmas! @McAfeeConsumer

21 Dec 2012 · 2 min

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This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube video titled "Identity Theft Expert Says Watch Out for the 12 Scams of Christmas! @McAfeeConsumer" (WGME/News 13 consumer segment) published December 21, 2012. The excerpt is a TV news/consumer-report style piece from the "On Your Side" team featuring multiple news speakers (anchors/reporters, including a named reporter Sean Chrysos and mention of John Creso) discussing Cyber Monday and the "12 Scams of Christmas." The segment focuses on phony e-tailers and other online shopping scams (phony classifieds, dangerous e-cards), cites online shopping statistics, and gives consumer safety tips (look for HTTPS, use credit cards, monitor statements, keep order confirmations).

Chapters

Well, like we told you earlier right here on News 13's Live at 5:30, Black Friday shopping broke records this weekend, and today many shoppers are logging on to try to land a good deal on this Cyber Monday.
But cyber criminals are trying to cash in on all the good cheer and the increase in online shopping. News 13's Sean Chrysos is on your side counting down the 12 Scams of Christmas.
No matter what gift you're looking for, you'll probably be able to find it quickly and easily online, but you'll want to be careful in selecting which site to shop. Phony e-tailers is our third scam of Christmas. Retail analysts expect this Cyber Monday to be the biggest online shopping day of the year. The firm ComScore predicts Americans will spend $1.5 billion online today, 20% more than last year. But fake e-commerce sites that appear real try to trick you into typing in your credit card number and other personal details. Oftentimes they do so by promoting a great deal. But after getting your money and information, shoppers don't get their merchandise, and personal information is at risk.
Bad guys are creating fake e-tailer websites, and these fake sites are designed to get you to enter your credit card information, and often these fake sites revolve around gift cards.
Here are some tips we want to pass on from online security experts. First, confirm a website is secure before entering any information. Look for an "S" after HTTP in the URL. Paying with a credit card will offer more protections than debit. Check statements regularly to make sure the only charges are ones that you've made. And keep record of order confirmations and receipts with a designated folder in your inbox or with an app like Slice. Now, if you missed our first two scams, phony classifieds, those online ads that ask for too much personal information or ask you to wire money, and dangerous e-cards, greetings that download spyware and viruses onto your computer. John Creso, 13 On Your Side.
And if you're looking for more holiday shopping tips and warnings, visit the On Your Side section of WGME.com. While you're there, let us know if you run into any problems with your online or in-store shopping.