12 Scams of Christmas

Christmas is here, and although the holiday is associated with cheer and generosity, scammers are in full force, ready to take advantage of unwary individuals who can be easily duped.

In the spirit of the popular holiday tune, Better Business Bureau wants people to be aware of the 12 scams of Christmas. These frauds and cons are common during the holiday season, and being alert can save clients from the negative repercussions of these frauds during the otherwise jolly holiday season.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, a scammer gave to me:

Twelve malware e-cards

During the holidays, people love to spread the cheer, sometimes in the form of holiday e-cards. But viruses and malware often travel in e-mail attachments or links.

Better Business Bureau advises deleting e-mails from people whose names you don’t recognize. When in doubt, delete the e-mail or e-card. It is better to take caution than to fall victim to a corruptive virus.

Eleven stranded grandkids

Family is important, especially around the holidays. Scammers, however, can take advantage of this, utilizing what the Better Business Bureau characterizes as the “classic grandparent scam.”

If someone calls or sends an email pretending to be a grandchild, relative or friend, claiming they were robbed or harmed overseas, asking for money, check to verify that it is true before taking action.

Ten counterfeit gifts

Everybody likes a good deal, but low prices on luxury goods almost always means that the product is a cheap counterfeit.

Be careful while holiday shopping this year, especially online. Counterfeit transactions are illegal and harmful for brand owners and can leave customers dissatisfied.

Nine pockets picked

Cold weather means bundling up. But with some of the extra padding of a puffy coat, we may not notice pickpockets who are willing to take advantage of the situation.

While out and about this holiday season, keep your purse or wallet secure. Better Business Bureau also warns against putting shopping bags down, even for a moment. Experienced thieves are waiting for the perfect moment to snatch up any valuables.

Eight stolen gift cards

Gift cards can be the perfect gift: easy to buy and are usually a big hit with recipients. However, make sure that you are purchasing gift cards from a reputable dealer.

Scammers can sell you a card and use the funds, even before you have the chance to give the card as a gift, the Better Business Bureau claims.

Seven fake coupons

Buying so many gifts during the holiday season, it is no surprise that many look to coupons to save a little cash, but Better Business Bureau suggests that people use caution when downloading coupons.

A retailer’s website is the best place to find coupons, and be wary particularly if a website asks for personal information.

Six Santa scammers

Receiving a letter from Santa Claus can be the highlight of the Christmas season for a young child, but these websites could put you at risk for identity theft.

Before entering any personal information, verify that the site is real, and not just gathering data to commit fraud.

Five fake charities

The Christmas season is about generosity, and many charities thrive on end-of-the-year giving as part of their annual income.

Although Better Business Bureau encourages charity, be careful when giving this holiday season. Scammers set up fake charities that have names that often sound legitimate or are similar to popular charities. Verify the organization before you make a charitable donation this Christmas.

Four bogus websites

For those who do not know what to look for, it can be almost impossible to differentiate a real website from a bogus one.

It is easy for a hacker to mimic a real website. A red flag is if a website reads “http” in the address bar instead of the more secure “https.” Additionally, if contact information is not listed, or they are asking for a payment by wire or money card, look for verification that the website is not a fraud.

Three travel scams

Travelling during the holidays can get pricey, so airfare bargains can be tempting. But this is just another way that scammers can take advantage of unsuspecting travellers.

Be cautious when booking travel through an advertisement online, and never wire money to someone you do not know. Using trusted travel agencies or websites recommended by friends and family members can ensure that you will not fall victim to travel scams.

Two phony loves

Everyone wants someone special to share a kiss under the mistletoe or as the ball drops on New Year’s. But for those looking for love online, the holidays are a prime time for scams.

Be careful when finding an online sweetheart, especially with an online match that that gets cozy too fast and asks for money, the Better Business Bureau warns.

... And a totally fictitious puppy

There may be no better gift than a cute and cuddly puppy, but be careful when buying a pet online.

Scammers take advantage of those who want to give puppies for the holidays. Sometimes these puppies can come from puppy mills, and could have serious health problems. Other scams could involve paying for the pet online, but never receiving the puppy because it was all a scam.

If you decide to give man’s best friend for Christmas, find a reputable breeder or local rescue league to avoid being burdened by an online con.

How to Survive a Power Outage During an Ice Storm

Sometimes power outages are expected by the arrival of severe weather events such as severe thunderstorms or ice storms. These are additional steps you can take to prepare your home for weather-related blackouts.

Keep at least ½ of a tank of gas in your car at all times. Many gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. While it may seem inconvenient to make more frequent stops at the gas station, if you have a near-empty tank during a power outage, you may lack the fuel to travel in an emergency.

Trim tree branches in your yard. It's a good idea to address any landscaping concerns before the storm season begins in your area. When a storm is approaching your home, take note of the tree limbs on your property. If they hang over power lines, make sure to trim them before the storm hits. Doing so will decrease the chances your power will be cut by a fallen tree limbs.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. Lowering the temperature before you lose power will allow the refrigerator to keep acceptable temperatures for food longer. Eat perishable foods first, conserving canned or other non-perishable items for the possibility of a long-term outage.

After determining the cause of a power outage, use these measures to weather the outage safely.

Help prevent pipes from freezing. If your home is without heat, the water in your plumbing can become frozen and create expensive repair problems.


To help combat this, allow a small stream of water to run from faucets. The American Red Cross advises this action and says, "Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing."

If you own a generator, operate it safely. Never run a generator inside a home or garage, they produce potentially deadly carbon-monoxide fumes. Always keep running generators in an open and ventilated area. Also, do not directly connect the generator to your home's wiring. Plug all necessary appliances directly into the generator. When a generator is connected to a home's wiring, it can create a "back feed" into utility lines which can injure or kill anyone who is working to restore the power.

To maintain the refrigerated and frozen foods, keep fridge and freezer openings to a minimum. By not opening the door, you can keep the temperature lower for a longer period of time. Make a conscious effort before you open the fridge/freezer to plan what you will take out and close the door quickly. To increase the effectiveness of your powerless fridge, you can fill plastic containers with cold water and place inside the appliance. Not only does this increase your emergency water supply, it also helps keep the air cool inside the fridge to slow the spoilage of your food.

Although it may seem sensible to put food outside in the cold air, this is not recommended.  It is not a good idea to put food from the refrigerator and freezer outside. The temperature outside can vary hour by hour, and frozen food can thaw if exposed to the sun's rays, even if it is very cold.

Unplug all appliances and leave only one light switched on. There is an added risk of power surges occurring that can destroy your appliances. Leave one light on in your home so you know when the power has returned.

In case of extreme temperatures, plan on visiting locations and businesses that are likely to have generators. For instance, power outages are common during ice storms. Plan on visiting shopping malls or community centers that have generators to keep warm.

Follow these essential tips to help ensure the safety of you and your family from the unpredictability of power outages.