‘Twas a few days before Christmas …

And all though the Internet, not a phisher was sleeping.

Identity thieves and other assorted criminals don’t take the holidays off. In fact, they shift into high gear, hoping that in your haste you’ll slip up and hand over just what they want. For phishers, that’s your personal and financial data.

My spam filter does a good job of disposing of most of the malicious trash e-mail sent my way. But a few always make it through. I usually just delete them without reading. And even when I do occasionally open one, I never, never, ever open any attachment.

The one below, from "ALPHA FINANCIAL CONSULT. LONDON, U.K.," arrived yesterday. And I decided to give it a quick look:

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of £6,000,000.00 GBP (Six Million British Pounds) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).

We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance.

We therefore reckoned that you could receive these funds as you are qualified by your name identity. All the legal papers will be processed upon your acceptance.

Upon your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary LEGAL documents in your name at our high court probate division for the release of the fund in question.

Please contact me immediatley (sic) so that we can get this done immediately.

So what made this stand out? The fake "Director" of the equally fake "Alpha Financial Consult. London, U.K." who sent me the message with his "Kind regards" was a Mr. Clement Moore.

If you want to read some much more appealing seasonal fiction from the real Clement C. Moore, click here.

And, to borrow a phrase, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all con artists, good riddance and a good-night!"