COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The holiday season is about giving to family and friends and to those in need.
Unfortunately, scammers can prey on our generosity this time of year, so it's worth it to keep a few things in mind.
When you're having a hard time finding those top toys that fly off shelves, we tend to turn to the web.
The Better Business Bureau says you should look to stores that are credible for what you're buying. Looking for a doll? Check a doll retailer you know. Not something that you stumble upon online.
"With some of those websites that are illegitimate, you're going to place your order, pay for it, and may never get the product at all." Katie Carrol, marketing manager for the BBB of Colorado Springs explained.
She said to try to use local sellers on Ebay and Craigslist, that way you can meet up in person instead of trusting them anonymously.
But if there is a site, or "seller" on a website you think you trust, Katie said there's an easy way to keep a paper trail.
"Always to pay by credit card," she explained, "because then you have some recourse, and you can dispute the charge with the credit card company"
She added, do your research and stay skeptical to avoid paying for a "great deal" and getting nothing in return.
"We say if it sounds to good to be true... It is too good to be true!"
Online scammers are our most common enemy, but remember to guard your goods while you're out and about, too. When your hands get heavy with shopping bags, remember people could be watching the parking lots waiting for for you to bring great gifts to your car.
"People think you can bring gifts out to their vehicle and just put it in the trunk," she explained, "You have to cover up the packages, and in fact you shouldn't even keep going back and making trips. You should not leave valuables in the car. Period."
While we all know websites and thieves can get us, believe it or not you also need to check your charities before donating.
Many of the scammers will try to trick you with names that sound right, such as "Southern Colorado United Way", which doesn't exist, instead of "United Way of the Pike's Peak Region".
Katie said, "At this time of year with charities, it's better to go with the major ones you already know of, since so many are popping up."
Watch your phones too. That e-card that claims to be a cute dancing elf could download malware on your computer, and it could have a cellular counter-part, too.
As more consumers do commerce with their smartphones, "smishing" has become a hot new area for scammers.
It stands for phishing through SMS text messages. You wouldn't click on a link in an unsolicited email, so use the same caution with an unsolicited text.