Since we're getting down to the wire, I thought to add this little post about keeping your guard up.

This holiday season, your joy in giving can turn into a disaster if you're not careful!

TrendMicro has put together a slightly awkward, but still valuable reminder about how to beware and not fall prey to the Grinches and Blue Meanies who thrive off your naivete and desire to stretch your hard earned money.

Please take a minute and check out the tips in this online guide. The Doc wants no regrets this season!

And from an email I received:

Beware of credit card thieves! They're scamming every way possible (remember, these folks don't like real work).

• Watch out for the cashier who's on the cell phone...might be snapping a pic of your card.

• Watch out for the “switcheroo”: You give your card, but get back an old, expired card belonging to someone else. You will be charged those transactions made until you notify on loss! Be alert.

• Typically, the thieves won't make large transactions: They don't want to set off alarms but rest assured, the “little” charges will add up very quickly!

From Lifehacker:

"If you shop online, your credit card number has been entered into at least one web site. While this is unavoidable, and just about as safe as using your credit card out in the real world, the fact still remains that your number could be intercepted and used to make unauthorized purchases. One easy way around that problem is using temporary credit card numbers. While not every bank offers this service, if yours does you might want to take advantage of it. If you're making a purchase online—especially at a site you don't trust—you just generate a unique credit card number that will expire after its first use. This is also extremely helpful if you sign up for a trial and want to prevent automatic re-billing."

Please reply to this thread with any scams you've learned about.

*There have been several noteworthy additions by Members, k10w3 has noted casual 'brush by' theft of credit card info by RFID chip radiation detection and recording. You can learn more HERE.

This Community is dear to us all, and nothing makes one feel as good as protecting loved ones.

That reminds me of another duty we all have: Please remember our troops this holiday any way you can. They're spread thin all around the world putting themselves in harm's way for us.

Please give them them the love they deserve.