The "Top 10 Scams" to Watch out For this Hanukkah, Christmas & Holiday Season in 2013!

Summary: On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, an app which stole my identity. 

 

By Charlie Osborne for Zero Day | November 15, 2013 -- 10:28 GMT (02:28 PST)

Follow @ZDNetCharli

The top scams in the 2013 Holiday Season -

Online threats are part-and-parcel of life on the Web -- but the end of the year proves to be a lucrative time to give cybercriminals the gift of your bank details or personal data.
As the holiday season comes in to full swing, more consumers use online banking and retail sites to complete their Christmas shopping. However, consumers are often duped by a number of tactics employed by criminals to profit from a lack of security awareness.
From fake charity campaigns to emailed shipping notifications, the ways that criminals attempt to steal your data are varied, creative and widespread. It's not easy to remain vigilant all of the time, but for some tips and advice on what to look out for, check out this gallery of the top ten scams this holiday season.

1. Mobile apps lacking Christmas cheer:

Due to the explosion in popularity for mobile devices, cybercriminals are now the creators of legitimate-looking apps that feature holiday shopping deals, celebrity endorsements and time-sensitive offers. However, these often-free applications, once downloaded to your smartphone or tablet, may steal or modify your data. Malicious apps may intercept your communication, steal your banking data, and may forward you to premium services. In addition, an app may bypass authentication systems by asking for a code to be sent to your mobile device.
How to stay safe: Review applications before downloading. In particular, check out its star rating, and what others have said about the software.

See also:

• Malicious apps, mobile malware reaches 1 million mark
• McAfee promises chip-to-application coverage with new mobile security suite
• Mobile apps pose biggest threat

2. Holiday Mobile SMS Scams:

When you choose to download apps or files from the web, FakeInstaller tricks Android users into thinking the download process is legitimate -- and may send SMS messages from your mobile to premium rate numbers without your consent.
How to stay safe: Double check the legitimacy of files and apps you are downloading.

See also:

• 5 Ways to Avoid a Fake Installer on your Android
• 'FakeInstaller' Leads the Attack on Android Phones

Image credit: CNET

 

3. The hottest gifts this season in scams:

As belts tighten, many of us look for holiday gift and travel deals online. However, malicious links to fake websites, phishing scams and phoney contests on social media can all be gateways for cybercriminals to gain access to your personal data or download malware on to your devices.
Not only this, but you run the risk of being hoodwinked into purchasing cheap products that you believe to be designer, only to find that amazing "deals" are for counterfeit products.
How to stay safe: Purchasing from official retailers lessens the risk of being duped, and try to verify low prices that look too good to be true.
See also:

• Cybercriminals release Christmas themed web malware exploitation kit
• Top 5 Christmas Scams to Watch for This Christmas Shopping Season

 

4. Seasonal Travel Scams:

Emailed and social media travel deal links and notifications -- whether through shared content, competitions or paid-for advertising can all be used to trick users into submitting their personal data. In addition, if PCs become infected with spyware or malware when visiting a malicious site, scammers can install keyloggers or convince you to complete a fake purchase.
This isn't just it; while we all would love to brag we visited the Alps for $200, criminals that seize your money for a fake travel package is a common way that consumers can lose out.
How to stay safe: If something looks too good to be true, it probably is -- and you can save yourself heartache by following a few simple rules. If a website offer looks too good, then conduct a quick review on Google, such as "thiswebsite.com reviews" to find out if the service is legitimate, and don't forget to regularly perform anti-virus sweeps. This, in turn, can also help you find out if the firm -- while real -- is a poor choice to spend your hard-earned cash with.
If you accidentally click on phishing emails or conduct dubious online purchases, two-step verification purposes may help you if you accidentally give away your details -- rather than find your account cleaned out later.

5. E-Seasons Greetings? Not quite:

Merry Christmas, here's your malware. Postcards and snail mail seasons greetings are giving way to e-cards as a way to wish your friends and family a Merry Christmas -- and so naturally, malicious apps and software are in on the consumer trend. Legitimate looking e-cards may cause unsuspecting users to download viruses after clicking a link or attachment in an email.
How to stay safe: Check gift cards that you receive for suspicious misspellings in your name, the company's, or in the subject title. If you're concerned, it's best to simply click the delete button. One company you can trust is Jacquie Lawson E-cards as she gives one a way to get their card without clicking on a link, just follow the simple instructions.
Image credit: Blue Mountain
 

6. Malicious online games -- Be careful of the kids:

A common problem, many malicious apps pretend to be popular games on smartphones and tablets. From Angry Birds to Grand Theft Auto, malicious apps can be found within the Android and iOS ecosystem -- so if you hand over your device to amuse children, be aware of the games' sources. Malware, in-app purchases and social media pages embedded in the apps can all threaten your device's security -- and any accounts linked to it.
How to stay safe: Talk to your children about how to spot and avoid potential scams, and only allow them to download apps under your supervision -- where you can check the rating and comments left about an application. Buying and downloading games from reputable sources will also help.
See also:

• Don't you just love mobile apps? So do malicious code writers.
• Teenagers: Mobile gaming, apps and data greed 
• ACCC targets in-app purchases for children
• Android app malware rates jump 40 percent

Image credit: Angry Birds
 

7. Waiting for gifts to arrive? Don't be fooled:

Fake shipping notifications can pretend to give you updates on product deliveries, but in reality, can be scams that carry malware and software designed to infect your PC and devices. Some may ask you to click on links and input bank or address details.
How to stay safe: If it looks suspicious, contact your bank directly via phone, secure website, or in-person, and never input any bank-based details. In addition, checking the domain name on shipping emails is usually a sure-fire way to check legitimacy.
Image credit: Panda Security
 

8. Gift cards that are not always what they seem:

Gift cards are an easy option in the holiday season, but deceptive social media ads touting exclusive packages and deals can lead to fake purchases.
How to stay safe: Check the domain name and reputation of a seller before making any purchases.
Image credit: ThreatTrack Security Labs
 

9. Giving to charity, or a criminal's pocket?

Donating to charities is common this time of year, but cybercriminals capitalize on this -- and fake charity events and websites put donations straight into their pockets.
Emails and advertising campaigns may include the real charity's logo, details including the address, well-written pitches and links to donate online -- but don't be fooled.
How to stay safe: Do background research on the charity you’d like to donate to, and do not give out personal information if you have the slightest suspicion things are not what they seem. Be aware that these scams often surface in the wake of disaster -- such as the recent typhoon in the Philippines -- and don't give in to guilt-laden pleas, images of disaster, or "suggested donations." Even better, decide in advance which charities you want to give to and contact them directly, rather than risk a potentially fake donation on a whim.

10. Are you the one?

Romance scams are a constant threat to online users. Whether short or long term, users of dating sites are conned out of their hard-earned cash every day -- paying for an online person to deal with an emergency, or paying for them to visit. However, messages sent from a potential "love interest" can also include phishing scams, where the person accesses your personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.
How to stay safe: Log on to trustworthy dating sites, and no matter how nice the person seems to be, be extremely careful about giving out personal information -- and never give any money away.

See also: Essential apps for long-distance relationships

Image credit: Little Riot

Courtesy of ZDNet.

Why Northwest Airlines sucks!... (Part IV)

Now, Back to the 1st human I was able to talk to about my luggage. She did indeed say it was checked in that morning, Sunday, 12-21-08. She also said it did not come in on flight 184 like we were told the night before, but on an early flight into LaGuardia that morning. I asked her why it was not changed on the website, or on the audio version as received, and she couldn't answer that. I asked if it went out to be delivered, and she couldn't answer that either, but she did blow me off and said that they are making deliveries throughout the day, and evening, and I should have it by 11pm that night. Now, we were about an hour to 1 and 1/2 hours away from LaGuardia, depending on traffic and road conditions.

I also remember, that the previous night, when I filed the initial missing luggage claim, the NWA employee asked if it was OK for them to drop off the luggage if no one was home, and I said, yes, although we have all sorts of family members visiting for Christmas, like me with no luggage, so someone should be home.

I continued to try and track my luggage through NWA website, but nothing ever changed, even the fact that they received the luggage. So, who do I believe that they actually have the luggage? The lady I spoke too, or the website/computer generated phone links? No one! They all lie, except for Wendy. Their Luggage Status Information Line is 1-800-745-9798, and you get that damned automated crap. Even when I used my special file reference number, LGANW92994, it really didn't help. One thing though, which my mom mentioned while I was phoning again later that Sunday evening, and trying to figure out how I got that first "Live Human" when I called, mom said, after they give you the automated spiel, hit "0", and maybe that might get you to Customer Service. Oh my gosh, it worked. So, again I talked to a human, and I got the same response, it's like they are programmed, or their training manual teaches them how to bullshit and lie to you!

It was kind of imperative that I get my luggage, as I was only spending 8 days in NY! So Day One is shot, no luggage, wasn't delivered by 11pm, or anytime on Sunday, so the bastards just lied and lied and lied!!! Everything is pending, like the status of my luggage. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, the answer was there are no supervisors here. How can that be? Someone has to direct this dysfunctional operation and corporation. When I asked for their employee ID number, they said they could not give it to me. What kind of horseshit is that? And the funny thing is, part of their message when I called, it mentioned Northwest Airlines commitment to customer service. They really have one warped sense of humor. And, a special note here, I did not cuss or swear, or say or do anything inappropriate during my phone calls on Day 1. I just sat there and listened to their bullshit, and boy, these folks are good at it. Also, up to this point, I was unable to get them to give me the land line phone number for NWA Baggage Services at LaGuardia, as they said they couldn't give out that number. Is that amazing or what? No phone numbers, no employee ID number's, nothing that was of any importance. While I was waiting on line at NWA Baggage Services the night of the 20th, their phone was ringing off the hook. Ummm, sounds like another lie to me. I would be done by now if I wasn't so easily distracted. I look at my e-mail, and then one thing leads to another, then another, and before I know it, it is 3, 4 or 5 hours later. Wow, am I messed up or what? I will finish this in the next post, I promise, but there is another Bowl Game coming on soon, so sorry about that. Bye...

OK, so I went to NY for Christmas and... (Part III) or, Why Northwest Airlines Sucks!

It's Sunday morning, and I'm still working on my first 24 hours in NY. So, both my parents realize I am in NY, much to their amazement. I think they were extremely surprised, and happy that I was there. I mean we don't have too many more Christmas together on this planet, because of many reasons, but mainly because we are getting older, and of course the health issues. But let's not be too morbid here, let's be happy! Oh yeah, no luggage yet.

Our family has this tradition which has been going on for decades, that being the week or so before Christmas we all go out to eat together, all the families, in-laws, everyone, and my dad picks up the tab. This started, and has morphed from when we were little children, and our dad gave each of us kids a money envelope, which started with $5.00, so that we would have money to buy Christmas presents for each other, and for mom and dad too. As we got older, the amount gradually increased, and then he started giving us these Commemorative U.S. Mint Coins, usually in silver, for different occasions. I still have a few that I did not pawn. Then came the dinner out when we all reached adulthood, and I think the money part ended while I was on one of my multi-year vision quests. I don't know the exact year though, and then the coin thing also ended. So, today it is just the big get-together with the meal. This is the 1st one I attended since my last visit to NY in 2004. This year it was at the Copperage in Waiting River, NY. I didn't have any casual dress clothing because, you guessed it, my luggage was in Northwest Airlines limbo land. This brunch took place @ 11am Sunday morning on December, 21 2008. It was really nice, even though I was the only one there not dressed appropriately. I do travel a lot, just not to NY, and I always carry an extra set of clothing, usually a pair of shorts, t-shirt and socks. So, there I was, in the Copperage, in a pair of shorts, a Pirates tee shirt, sneakers and socks, and no one said a word, although I did get some strange looks. It was enjoyable, and I love seeing everyone after 4 years.

Northwest Airlines has a web page on their website where you can check on your luggage. All you have to do is enter the number the Baggage Service office gave me when I filed the missing luggage claim. It says 2 things, one being when they received your luggage (At LaGuardia) and when it was delivered. It doesn't qualify what those 2 things actually mean, but what would one expect from these idiots.

When we got back from the Copperage, it was contact NWA (From here on, NWA will stand for Northwest Airlines.) time, as the luggage had not yet arrived. There was an 800 number both on my missing luggage receipt, and on their website, and they were identical. Amazing! So, I checked online, and lo and behold, it did not show that they had received it yet, although the night before we were told it was coming in on the next flight from Minneapolis. Oops, somebody told a lie. You will notice that we were lied to on a regular and constant basis. Now that is what I call great customer service. Oh, and it gets better. So, for the next couple of hours I kept checking the website, and nada, nothing, blippo on my luggage's' status. So, now I start using the PHONE! It is now around 3pm, and the promise that my luggage would be on the 10am delivery or 1pm delivery seem to ring hallow. More lies!

We all love those calls to customer service when we get recordings, and multiple numbers to push to get certain information, and nothing really gets accomplished, ever. My 1st call was basically an audio version of what the website said, with the final comment, "our information is updated regularly with the latest information". Tell me, what would they update it with? The oldest, 3, 4, 5- day old information? And the thing about these calls was that there was no # or button to push to get a live human being, either from here or Bangladesh! What were they thinking? Then on my 3rd or 4th time calling, an error occurred, and I somehow got patched through to customer service (I thought it was customer service for just luggage claims or complaints, but I was mistaken, as @ NWA, that does not exist. You end up at customer service for reservations, but they can check on your luggage on their computer, sort of like I could on my brother's.) and spoke to my first human. This was on Sunday, around 4:30pm EST. She said it appears my luggage was checked in a LaGuardia that morning, and no, it did not come in on Flight 184 the night before like I was told the previous night (Imagine if we had waited for it that night? We would have been some pissed off campers!) and so the lies started on Saturday Night, with Lies #ed- 1,2, and 3 happening that night. If I counted them all, it would probably end up in the dozens. Just to say this now, there was one young lady, Wendy who was either a truly compassionate person, who actually tried to go above and beyond the call of duty, or just a kind and dedicated employee, not yet jaded by her job. But this didn't happen till Monday Night. She even gave us the actual land line phone number for the Baggage Services Office at LaGuardia, when many others said they couldn't (Or wouldn't) do that. Kudos to her, and only her. NWA should take some lessons from her, because they said every time before you were actually going to get a human, that they may be recording this for training purposes. These assholes are basically clueless!

Well, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Texas vs Ohio St.) will be on soon, and I just love football, so to be continued...

I commit to...

Supporting the holiday of Festiva! Sure I am a little nuts, but what the heck, I have a lot of time on my hand. I am going to stores here very shortly, because we have a big storm coming in here tonight and tomorrow, with temperatures dropping into the -10 to -30 range. Brrrrr! That's cold. see you in a few!

I am back, stocking up before the storm. My little Weatherbug alert system was chirping his little head off when I got home. I checked it out, and ouch, this is January/February weather we are getting, with snow, wind gusting to 40 mph, and windchill in the -30 to -40 range! Ouch, ouch, O-U-C-H!

I finished most of my Christmas shopping, as I will be heading out in a week or so. leaving on the 19th, and already have a room booked, or reserved in Casper at the infamous Shilo Inn. It was the cheapest I could find, but I should have gone to priceline and negotiated. Oops, another learning piece. My flight is out of Natrona International Airport on Sat, Dec. 20th @ 9am. Bet you didn't know that Casper had an International Airport did you? I thought so.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this Christmas, as it has been awhile for some of them. My folks still don't know I will be there, so it should be a surprise. But, yes there is always a but when it comes to family activities, as we don't have one of those cute little houses with the white picket fences, and everything is fine and perfect. Life don't work that way, at least for a majority of us, and this part scares me. For years I was the black sheep, because of my alcohol and substance abuse issues. I have been clean and sober now for 5 1/2 years, my longest period of sobriety in my adult life. I should write a book like, "A Billion Pieces of Shattered Glass" and I would not have to lie to make it interesting. I am wandering off course again.

What I wanted to say was that back in August 2005, my dad and my brother Rich (He is a year younger then me, and is a Detective Sergeant for Internal affairs for the Nassau County Police Department on long Island.) had an argument about money. Go figure.

Anyhow, back in the early 1980's, my brother Rich and his wife Lynn borrowed $50,000.00 to use as a down payment on a house. the deal was that when they sold the house, my dad would be repaid, plus some amount to act like interest, but it really wasn't interest. So my dad asked Rich when he might get paid back, because both my dad and mom are getting up there in years, and would like to spend some of their money. My dad also figured that if my brother had enough money to buy a condo in Naples, Florida, then they could pay back this debt. My dad had hoped that over the last few years my brother would step forward and maybe make payments, or something of that nature. My dad even asked me a few years back if I had talked about this debt with my brother. I said no, and didn't want to get involved. And besides, I really didn't know about it to begin with, so why should I say anything. So, anyhow, my dad brought this up with my brother while he was visiting him in Naples, and that is when this back and forth e-mail/snail mail exchange began. And it got kind of mean, on both sides. My dad said he was disowning my brother, and my brother saying he'll never speak to my dad again. Communication skills were lacking on both sides, and I was stuck in the middle. My brother eventually paid my dad somewhere in the area of $75,000.00 buy getting a second mortgage on his house in NY. my brother also insisted that it was a gift, not a loan, and they hadn't sold their house yet, which was true. And my dad said he wanted the money before he dies so he and my mom could spend it, or whatever.

They haven't spoken since then, but my dad, about 2 months ago offered a fig leaf, and asked my brother if they can sit down and chat. I know this problem bothers my mom, as she hasn't seen one of her grandchildren in over 3 years, or even spoken to him, and he is now 14 1/2 now. It is really sad, and immature if you ask me. Some really deep seated resentments came out during this argument, stuff my brother has stuffed for many years. I think it is crazy, because it is is a cancer that eats, and eat, and eats at you, destroying any type of spirituality one might have. Sure, I too have had resentments and have disliked folks, even now, because I'm not perfect, but after a careful and personal inventory, I've decide that it isn't worth it, giving power to this other person over me. Sometimes it takes longer then others, but in the end, I can sleep in peace every night. This doesn't mean I love everyone either, all kissy, huggy and all that other happy horseshit. And I know that I can't allowed this negative stuff to occupy my brain and thoughts either. There are even people I dislike, or even dislike a lot, like Bush and Cheney to name a few.
So they are meeting on Dec. 20th, the day I am flying in. My dad seems open to it, but my brother, as per my conversations with him is being stubborn, a least that is what I can surmise. He, my brother said to me, "I am not going to apologize or anything!" And I have told him numerous times that it sucks to be thrust in the middle of this happy horseshit! Come on folks, grow up NOW!

OK, I got that off my chest, and I hope their meeting goes OK, because if it doesn't, I know my parents will be hurt, and that would suck, especially with me coming back to visit them all. We'll see how it goes, and I am going to do a lot of praying.

K2TV News at 5, out of Casper, Wyoming is on right now, and they are talking about snow fences. WOW, that is on hot topic! Doug McGee from the WyDOT told us all about snow fences, but didn't discuss living snow fences. Nope, didn't say a word about them. K2 is one of those beginner stations, where kids just out of college get there feet wet in broadcasting. There is a very high turnover, with most of them leaving for bigger market stations. I think we are right near the bottom of the market ratings, because all the newbies experiences are usually with the college stations, or interning at a local station, but never reporting or anchoring there. Some have been good, some, well not so good. I usually e-mail the newbies, welcoming them to Wyoming. Sometimes I get a reply, sometimes not! I also e-mail them when they make a mistake. Not to be mean, but to be helpful. This one new anchor, who has anchored now for about 4-5 months always uses absolutes in her stories, like everyone in Wyoming feels this way, or thinks this way, or does something this way, and I write her to tell her we are not all robots or clones, and she never replies. I don't understand why! Ha! Ha! The news director, the only one that has been there many years, a guy named Nick Birge hires all these hotties to co-anchor with him at the 5 o'clock news hour. And these young women are constantly complaining about the weather, especially now. I write them and tell them to get over it, they are in Wyoming in the winter and fall. But, there they go, everyday, complaining about the weather.

So much for my critique about Wyoming's News Leader, K2TV. Time to eat dinner, and then edit some photos.