The Crunch that Stole Christmas

At least when the Grinch stole Christmas, he wasn’t out to make a fast buck.

According to CNN, reports of Christmas tree theft are soaring this holiday season. The thieves seem to be targeting commercial lots (in Hillsborough, Fla., officials are trying to figure out how more than 20 trees managed to vanish from a single site). Authorities chalk it up to the tanking economy. But absent any evidence for a Christmas tree black market, officials suspect “this year's thieves are likely stealing trees for their own living rooms,” says reporter Alyssa Abkowitz.

Much like the economic crisis that precipitated it, the effects of the Christmas tree crisis evidently know no boundaries. British newspaper the Telegraph reports on the theft of holiday flora from the country’s “plantations and nurseries and, more shockingly, also from public parks, private gardens and even from in front of a church.” But unlike their American counterparts, British tree thieves may be targeting the holiday accoutrements in order to make a “quick profit” from their resale, according to Tim Price, a rural security specialist with insurance firm NFU Mutual, who spoke to the London-based daily.

Obviously, having your tree stolen could be the least of your worries during the holiday season – and beyond, especially in the midst of an economic crisis.  Credit card fraud and identity theft cases stand to rise in times of need, so it’s no time to let your guard down.  Credit.com has tips on avoiding common identity fraud schemes.

On the bright side, Great Britain’s politicians have made sorting out finances a top priority for 2008, according to Money News. We hope the same can be said of American politicians as the holidays give way to the new year.