PRLog (Press Release) – Dec 14, 2010 – Holiday time is usually hectic, and scammers are ready to pounce on consumers who are preoccupied while shopping online, juggling packages at the mall or simply reading their e-mail.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) has identified five common scams that consumers should watch out for and avoid as they shop, whether online or in stores.

“There are ways to steer clear of criminals who are working overtime and have the potential to ruin the holidays for people who are attending to joyful holiday pursuits,” according to Connecticut BBB President, Paulette Scarpetti. “Some of these scams are not new, and they return every year because they work.”

Online shopping scams: We’re all looking for a great deal online, but some sites offer electronics or luxury goods at prices that are too good to be true. Every holiday season, BBB hears from holiday shoppers who paid for a “great deal” online, but received nothing in return.

BBB advice: Always look for the BBB logo when shopping online and click on it to confirm that it is legitimate. If you’re shopping on sites that aren’t household names, check them before you buy at www.bbb.org/. Confirm that the company has a legitimate address.

Nabbing the season’s hottest toys and gadgets online: When stores sell out, you may find the items up for bid by individuals online at reputable sites like Craigslist or eBay — but for a much steeper price. The problem with this type of purchase is that some of these independent sellers may take your money and run.

BBB Advice: Shop locally when using Craigslist and conduct transactions in person. Bring along a friend if you’re uncomfortable meeting the seller alone. Never wire money as payment.

If you’re shopping on auction sites like eBay, research sellers extensively and go with your gut feelings if a deal sounds fishy or too good to be true.

Identity theft at the mall: While you’re struggling with boxes and bags of presents, identity thieves may see an opportunity to steal your wallet, handbag, debit or credit card numbers.

BBB Advice: Don’t let yourself get bogged down in purchases or lose track of your wallet. Know where your credit and debit cards are at all times and cover the keypad when entering your pin number while purchasing items or getting money from the ATM. Make sure you put your card back in your wallet after each purchase. Keep a minimum of cash with you.

Bogus charitable pleas: The holidays are a time of giving, and that creates an opportunity for scammers to solicit donations to line their own pockets. Some charities don’t necessarily deliver on their promises or are ill-equipped to carry through on their plans. Resist demands for on-the-spot donations.

BBB Advice: Always research charities with BBB before you donate to see if the charity meets the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Up-to-date reports on local and national charities are available at www.bbb.org/charity.

Phishing e-mails: Phishing e-mails are a common way for hackers to get at your personal information or break into your computer. Around the holidays, beware of e-cards and messages pretending to be from companies like UPS or Fedex with links to package tracking information.

BBB Advice: Don’t click on any links or open any attachments to e-mails until you have confirmed that they are not malicious. E-mail addresses that don’t match up, typos and grammatical mistakes are common red flags of a malicious phishing e-mail. Also, beware of unsolicited e-mails from companies with which you have no association. Make sure you have current antivirus software and that all security patches have been installed on the computer.

For more advice on being a savvy consumer this holiday season, visit the BBB online at www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-holiday/.