Every year has a new “it” toy that must get under the tree. These toys fly off the shelves, spawning an incredibly inflated secondhand market.

This year, it’s Hatchimals – those adorable stuffed animals in cloth shells. There’s an element of surprise until the toy “hatches” and its true form emerges, adding to the thrill.

Unfortunately, scammers are capitalizing on parents’ desire to make Christmas memorable for their children. Recently, scammers set up fake Facebook pages, Instagram sites and Twitter profiles offering Hatchimal “giveaways” to people who followed them and downloaded a “fan app.” There were no Hatchimals given away. Worse yet, the fan app was a piece of malware that stole personal information and transmitted it to scammers.

This is the most recent in a round of scams featuring the popular toy. If you’re Hatchimal hunting, these tips will keep you safe.

1.) Never download anything you don’t need

When people are tricked into installing something on their computer, they can unknowingly send personal information to a scammer.

Before you click any downloadable link, ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I know the company that produced this software?
2. Do I trust the person who sent the link?
3. Do I need this software for my daily life?

If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” close the browser immediately. If you  doubt the safety of a piece of software, don’t download it.

These rules apply for every device you use. In this Hatchimals scam, the perpetrators intentionally targeted mobile users. Your phone has as much personal information on it as your PC does; safeguard both!

2.) Double-check when shopping online

Many scammers have taken a more conventional route: They promise goods, take the payment, then don’t deliver the goods. While this scam is common year round, the holiday-shopping insanity makes more people more vulnerable.

More insidiously, scammers have been posting “black market” Hatchimals and other toys. Factory defects are sold at many times the retail prices, even on reputable websites like Amazon. To avoid this scam, check reviews for the account. If someone’s selling a new toy but they’ve never sold anything before, it’s likely they’re running a scam.

If you must shop secondhand, try to deal locally. Never send payment through unsecured means, like a cashier’s check or wire transfer. Meet your buyer in a public place, and always inspect the goods before paying.

3.) Read the reviews before the hype

Despite the popularity, many parents who’ve purchased a Hatchimal are disappointed. The toy hatches too quickly – sometimes in as little as two hours – and kids lose interest.

Ask your children what they really want for Christmas; it may be something entirely different. Find something they’ll really treasure. They, and your pocketbook, will thank you!

Don’t forget that building great holiday memories doesn’t cost a dime. You just need to spend time together! Happy Holidays!