BOULDER, Colo. -- Online experts are warning about the proliferation of high-tech scams making the rounds on the Internet this Cyber Monday.

According to a report from McClatchy News Service in the Boulder Daily Camera, experts see online and telephone scams increase during the holidays. According to the story, more than 70 million people are expected to shop online during the holidays and that makes them ripe for con artists.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to avoid scams:

Shop at known, reputable sites, or sites that have a "brick and mortar" location. That way, if there is a problem with your gift, your mom can always go back to the store to return it.
If you're bidding on eBay or a less well-known site, check the seller's reputation and how long they've been in business. Google their names and the words "scam" or "fraud" to see if others have reported problems. Try to find contact information other than an e-mail address, such as a physical address or by phone number.
Do not respond to unsolicited e-mail and unsolicited phone calls. How can you tell if the e-mail sender or caller is legitimate, that they are who they say they are? Even if a Web site looks like the real deal, don't buy anything through e-mail. Your best bet is to pull up the Web site on your browser and begin shopping from there.
If you get an e-mail that looks like it's coming from Amazon or eBay and it's asking you to "reenter" your credit card information, for security purposes, DELETE IT. Legitimate companies don't "lose" your information like this. This is most likely a phishing scam -- where identity thieves try to "fish" for your personal information.
Be leery of e-mails that come from banks or e-tailers, telling you that there is a problem with your account and you need to call them or e-mail them your information or your account will be blocked. Banks and e-tailers would never contact you by e-mail to ask you for this information, or to notify you that there's a problem with your account.
Track your purchases by going to the Web site directly -- don't click on the link provided in an e-mail.
If you want to donate to charity, go directly to the charity's Web site, do not give out personal information over the phone or through e-mail.
Never give out your Social Security number. Why would a retailer or legitimate charity need that?
Carefully watch your bank and credit card accounts.
Pay online with your credit card of PayPal account. Don't use a debit card.
Don't click on online greeting cards, attached files or links sent from someone you don't know.

Click here to read the full report in the Boulder Daily Camera.