BBB: Some Santa websites may be naughty

Posted: 12.16.2010 at 11:33 AM

As you finish up Christmas shopping, your kids are probably writing letters to Santa with lists of what they would like for Christmas. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning parents to check "Dear Santa" websites carefully to make sure their not naughty, but rather nice.

The BBB is offering parents tips on how to find nice Santa sites and urging them to review websites they visit to make sure they know who is handling the information they supply and how it will be used.

"Parents looking to add a wide-eyed experience for their child could be surprised by the trouble they cause for themselves if they enter personal information on the wrong holiday site," said David Polino, Better Business Bureau President. "Parents should know that even Santa is required to protect personal information and comply with the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act."

That law requires sites to get a parent's permission before collecting or sharing personal information from children under 13.

According to the BBB, all websites directed to children or designed with a special children's section should have a privacy policy. It should include the name of the company and the company's complete contact information -- a physical address, phone number and email to contact them.

"Privacy policies can reveal a lot about a business, who they do business with and what their goal is if they do share information," Polino added. "Some of these Santa sites are purely fun, but others are hoping that your visit will turn into profits for third parties, advertisers, or other future offers. What you enroll in now can become a completely unrelated solicitation later."

Here are some other tips:

If the website asks for credit card information, the BBB suggests you research the company.

If they ask for personal information aside from your first name or email address, make sure to protect your child's personal identification and your financial information.

Beware of using email or game tools on some websites, which can lead to automated responses and future invitations.

Check websites for unwelcome content. Some sites are geared toward adults and may contain language or advertising you don't want your kids to see.

Check hyperlinks. They can lead children onto other inappropriate sites.

Here are some safe, popular sites according to the BBB: