Police Warn of 'Biggest Scams' During the Holiday Season

Don't let the grinches out there ruin Christmas.

From charity scams to bogus holiday sweepstakes, police want residents to watch out for grinches who aren't just out to steal Christmas. Palos Park police say scammers are taking advantage of the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday season. Millions of Target shoppers were targeted by text scam artists last week with messages claiming they won a $1,000 gift card, police said. Others have been hit with emails from retailers and delivery services. Victims clicked on links that introduced malware onto their phones or computers. Join the conversation. Friend Palos Patch on Facebook and sign up for the daily email newsletter! The Better Business Bureau offered some common complaints: As the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be …

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Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our 'Deck the House' contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16.  Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. What are you waiting for? Now’s the time to get your holiday …

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Humiliating Your Pets for the Holidays? So Are We.

Share your funny pet holiday photos with Patch! We'll even get you started.

'Tis the season to trim the tree, deck the halls—and dress the dog in a Santa suit? It's OK—a lot of pet owners seem to get a kick out parading their favorite four-legged friend in a red felt hat topped with a puff of white. And kids aren't the only ones starring in photos with Santa Claus. I admit to slipping a pair of antlers on my horses Ziggy and Finn, though Finn prefers the Santa hat. And my dog Huck doesn't know it yet, but there's a Santa suit with his name on it. I've showed you mine, now how about you show me your photos of pets decked out for the holidays. Just log in, click "Submit Photo and Video" and then select your desired photo to add to the album. Don't forget to proudly claim the photo and pet by leaving your pet's name …

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POLL: Are We Losing Thanksgiving as a Holiday?

With retailers starting to think about opening on the holiday, has Turkey Day become just another day? Tell us what you think.

Earlier this week, Steve Grzanich, an afternoon anchor and reporter for WBBM-AM (780), tweeted an interesting thought: Are we losing #Thanksgiving as a holiday? Christmas season starts now before Halloween w/very little mention of Turkey Day. #stoprushingxmas Right now, grocery stores have limited—and sometimes full—hours on Thanksgiving. Retailers are opening earlier and earlier to catch the Black Friday wave. Target is opening at midnight, and Toys R Us will be open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.  Has Thanksgiving lost its holiday appeal? Will it eventually become as significant as Arbor Day or Columbus Day? Have we lost it as a day off to be spent with family and copious amounts of food? Take our poll and tell us what you think in our …

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From the Editor

Send Us a Holiday Picture, We'll Send You a Patch Gift

'Tis the season for gift giving and receiving.

There exists a childhood picture of myself, my sister and our dog posing in front of the fireplace. It was sent out with the Christmas cards and features homemade holiday sweaters complete with fabric paint and those iron-on decals. It wasn't a great look. I know I am not the only one with an awkward holiday picture to share. So in the spirit of the season Palos Patch is calling on our readers to submit their best holiday photos. Whether it's a beautifully decorated home, bad holiday sweater or family photos we want to see it. Any image related to the holidays is fair game. The photos will be posted on the site as they come in. In exchange for your generosity we will send you a few Patch gifts including a water bottle, tote bag and …

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