As cybercriminals begin to take advantage of the holiday season, McAfee Inc. is warning consumers about the "12 Scams of Christmas" -- the 12 most dangerous online scams that computer users should be cautious of.



According to Consumer Reports’ 2009 State of the Net Survey, cybercriminals have bilked $8 billion from consumers in the past two years.

Bing: Worst ID theft cases
"Cybercriminals use their best schemes during the holidays to steal people's money, credit card information, Social Security number and identity," said Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee Labs. "These thieves follow seasonal trends and create holiday-related Web sites, scams and other convincing e-mails that can trick even the most cautious users."

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To sum up, I penned a parody Xmas carol for the occasion:

The 12 Scams of Christmas
To the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas”

On the 1st day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
A charity phishing scam

On the 2nd day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
2 fake invoices and a charity phishing scam

On the 3rd day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 4th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
4 Christmas e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 5th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 6th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 7th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam



On the 8th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
8 work-from-home scams
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 9th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
9 auction site frauds
8 work-from-home scams
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 10th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
10 thefts of passwords
9 auction site frauds
8 work-from-home scams
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam

On the 11th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
11 email bank frauds
10 thefts of passwords
9 auction site frauds
8 work-from-home scams
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam






On the 12th day of Christmas
Some scammer pulled on me
12 files for ransom
11 email bank frauds
10 thefts of passwords
9 auction site frauds
8 work-from-home scams
7 spyware ringtones
6 ID thefts
5 high-priced rings
4 e-cards, 3 sham friends, 2 fake invoices
And a charity phishing scam