Beware of this Secret Santa scam doing the rounds on Facebook

Have you seen something like this on your timeline?

Secret Santa is a great way to celebrate Christmas fairly and equally so that no one has to buy a million presents and the price being set always makes it a bit easier. However, online Secret Santa games have been doing the rounds on Facebook and Instagram which you should definitely avoid. Two popular Secret Santa ideas going around online at the moment are the 'Secret Sister gift exchange' and the 'Holiday wine bottle exchange'. Women and men will post a status such as the one above asking people to participate in the game claiming they'll receive up to thirty-six gifts in return. Those who participate will be asked to do the following.

1.) Send one gift value at least $10 to secret sister #1 below.

2.) Remove secret sister’s name from #1; then move secret sister #2 to that spot.

3.) Add your name to #2 with your info.

4.) Then send this info to 6 other ladies with the updated name info

5.) Copy the secret sister request that I posted on my wall, to your own wall. If you cannot complete this within 1 week please notify me, as it isn’t fair to the ladies who have participated and are waiting for their own gifts to arrive. You might want to order directly from a web-based service (Amazon, or any other online shop) which saves a trip to the post office. Soon you should receive 36 gifts! What a deal, 36 gifts for giving just one! Be sure to include some information about yourself … some of your favorites. Seldom does anyone drop out because it’s so much fun to send a gift to someone you may or may not know … and of course it’s fun to receive. You should begin receiving gifts in about 2 weeks if you get your letters out to your 6 people right away.

The harsh (and maybe obvious to some) truth is, that while one person might get something in the post, you won't be getting 36 gifts in return.

It also opens up the change of identity fraud because you're posting personal information such as your address on Facebook.

So in short, just don't do this.

If you want to take part in Secret Santa do it with your friends or colleagues, in person.