It's the holiday season, which means gifts, good cheer, and new opportunities for scam artists to take advantage of us.
A new report says more than ever before, they are targeting us not on our computers, but on our smart phones.
Free Gift Card Scam
"Congratulations, you've won a gift card!" That's the text message many people are getting right on their smart phones.
Sometimes it's a free $1,000 Walmart gift card, sometimes a Best Buy gift card. The latest version this holiday season: a Target gift card. The security firm McAfee warns that bogus gift cards are among the top holiday season scams this year.
Other Scams
Other Christmastime scams can target your tablet or computer:
- Facebook e-greeting cards that contain viruses.
- Ads for iPads at up to 90 percent off, that are really links to penny auction websites, where you won't get an iPad anywhere near that cheap.
- Downloadable Christmas carol lyrics, which can leave your computer infected.
Bottom Line
Be very careful responding to texts or messages on your phone you weren't expecting. It's just like the e-mail on your computer, but without the antivirus and security package.
As always, don't waste your money.
