The Fake Internet Shopping Website Christmas Scam - With Christmas just 4 days away shoppers need to be on guard against scammers taking advantage of the last minute rush to buy that is well underway.

Every year, there tends to be a must buy gift, usually a toy that is in short supply due to the demand from parents eager to fullfill their children's wishes.

This year the small in door helicopters seem to be near the top of the list, as are the major game consoles such as the Wii and Playstation 3.

The scammers operate by setting up website's specifically targeting high demand toys that parents are eager to order, these sites seek to get hold of your credit card and bank details and usually tend to disappear within a few short weeks.

The way to avoid being scammed is to ensure you only buy from a reputable and longstanding online retailers, one way to ensure this is to search for the name of the website on google for feedback from previous customers to ensure that it is legitimate. Also if you do buy online use your credit card rather than your debit card as you have greater protection on credit card purchases.

Email Scams

Avoid opening and acting on unsolicited emails that entice you to click through to a special offer, that may take you to a site that attempts to infect your computer with spyware or a virus.

A variation on this is the e-card scam, an email that purports to be from an un-named relative or friend which again attempts to entice you to click on a link which will attempt to infect your computer with a virus or trojan.

How to Avoid Email Scams -

a. Never open or click on links in emails from people you don't know.

b. Install a good anti-virus and internet security software such as by Symantic and Kaspersky .

Have a safe and scam free Christmas

By Shahla Walayat
http://www.moneyforums.co.uk

Moneyforums.co.uk is a FREE site which provides UK Money Saving Guides, Tools and Forums including - Credit Score Calculator and the Savings Calculator . Mortgage and Tax Calculators. Money Saving Guides such as Credit Card Stoozing , Savings Tree , Money Saving Guide. Personal Finance Discussion Forums open to ALL, supported by experienced moderators, to discuss any personal finance topics from The best Savings & Deposit Accounts , Regular Savers and Cash ISA's and more.

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Disclaimer - Moneyforums.co.uk does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided, and does not accept any liability for its accuracy, which is for general information purposes only as a starting point for your own research.

Shahla Walayat Archive

Comments

SA Ange
26 Dec 08, 04:53

Purchasing online product never delivered

i purchased a pair of UGG boot and paid by Paypal. The company has charged my credit card but never delivered the boots. I have contacted them excessively and no answer. I have called directly and the answer machine answers and there is no space to leave a message. What should I do?

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