McAfee spotlights “12 Scams of Christmas”

McAfee has released its annual “12 Scams of Christmas” list to educate the public on the most common scams that criminals use during the holiday season to take advantage of consumers as they shop on their digital devices. Cybercriminals leverage these scams to steal personal information, earn fast cash, and spread malware.
 
Industry estimates suggest that, In India, out of 150 million internet users around 10 million internet users are shopping online. A report by ASSOCHAM states that e-shopping during the festive season in India for 2013 has witnessed a 65-per cent increase in comparison to the last year for products like mobile phones, e-tablets, consumer electronics, home appliances, home decor, furnishings, apparels, etc. However, banks and various agencies are repeatedly propagating the cause of safe online transactions remains a potential challenge in India.
 
Michelle Dennedy, Vice-President & Chief Privacy Officer, McAfee, stated, “The potential for identity theft increases as consumers share personal information across multiple devices that are often under-protected. Understanding criminals’ mindsets and being aware of how they try to take advantage of consumers can help ensure that we use our devices the way they were intended – to enhance our lives, not jeopardize them.”
 
To help consumers stay alert for greedy Grinches as they surf the web for holiday travel deals and seek out gifts for their loved ones, McAfee has identified this year’s top 12 Scams of Christmas.