The internet security company McAfee is warning that some naughty Santas are out to take, not give, this holiday season. (iStock)

Christmas displays are going up in stores, shoppers are making their lists and scammers are plotting ways to steal your money this holiday season, according to internet security firm McAfee.

The company noted for its anti-virus software has made a list, checked it twice and hopes consumers can avoid the naughty.

When shopping online, McAfee advises consumers to stick with well-known sites, not respond to spam and to preview a website address before clicking to ensure it's not a fake site.

The 12 Scams of Christmas

1. IPad offer scams. With the popularity of Apple's iPad, McAfee warns about bogus offers for free iPads. Spammers are offering iPads when consumers buy other products using their credit card. In the end, there is no free iPad, no other products, and the consumer's credit card number has been stolen. In another iPad scam, consumers are asked to take a quiz and provide their cellphone number. They've actually signed up for a scam that will cost them $10 a week.

2. "Help! I've been robbed" scam. A phony distress message is sent to family and friends requesting that money be transferred so an individual can get home. Often, it is grandparents who are contacted. McAfee expects this scam to increase over the busy holiday travel season.

3. Fake gift cards. Cybercrooks use the offer of free gift cards to steal consumers' personal information, such as credit card numbers.

4. Holiday job offers. High-paying, seasonal and work-at-home jobs that are offered online are often scams. Beware of job offers that demand a lot of personal information.

5. Smishing. This is a new scam that uses text messaging in the way that the web is used for phishing. SMS messages are sent to a recipient, purportedly from a bank or online retailer, saying that something is wrong with an account. The victim is asked to call and verify personal information, which is then stolen and used.

6. Suspicious holiday deals. During the holiday season a lot of consumers will be searching for an affordable getaway. Crooks often post fake holiday rental sites and ask for down payments by credit card or wire transfer.

7. Recession loan scams. Vulnerable consumers are being targeted by pay-in-advance credit schemes. Crooks offer low-interest loans or credit cards and ask for an upfront processing fee. Once the fee is paid, the loan or credit card is never issued.

8. Grinch greetings. E-cards have become a popular way of sending greetings to friends. However fake e-cards can contain viruses or malware that could infect a computer.

9. Low-price traps. Scammers use auction sites such as e-Bay or set up fake websites and offer goods at far below normal retail cost. Often the too-good-to-be-true deals are simply a way of stealing money and personal information.

10. Charity scams. This common scam heats up over the holidays as people generously give to charities. However, some of the charities are fake, with the donations going into the pockets of thieves

11. Dangerous downloads. Holiday-themed screensavers, music and animations are easy ways for scammers to spread viruses and malware.

12. Hotel and airport wireless networks. The use of free Wi-Fi gives hackers an opportunity to break into networks.