Holiday shoppers should be wary of scams from fraud artists purporting to be well-known retailers, the Competition Bureau said Tuesday.

The federal agency said in the past few months, more consumers have come forward complaining of e-mails sent from phoney retailers attempting to collect credit card information.

One scam lures consumers with promotional deals, offering deep discounts for $100 goods priced at $10, the watchdog said. Consumers are asked to provide credit card information by e-mail or direct mail and a cheque for $10.

In another scam, Canadians are sent fake job offers from well-known retailers and are asked to provide personal information in response. In the third scam the Competition Bureau identified, consumers are told they've won a prize and are asked to send credit card details before they can collect a free trip or a gift card.

"New scams are being invented daily," the bureau said in a release. "Scam artists are well organized and use the latest technologies and strategies to victimize Canadians."

Consumers should protect their personal information and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, the bureau warned.

In 2006, more than $23 million was lost in prize, loan and vacation scams, according the RCMP's national anti-fraud call centre, Phonebusters.