By SHEILA G. KELLEY

News editor

Ordinary, everyday scams are horrible — Santa scams are downright Grinchy.

Parents who want to give their children a “genuine letter from Santa” better make a list of Santa-letter companies and check it twice before giving out personal information.

The Better Business Bureau says there are legitimate companies that send convincing and authentic-looking letters from St. Nick, but there are lots more who take your money and personal information and may sell to other enterprising thieves.

BBB cautions that anyone can create a website that appears legitimate. Scammers often steal graphics and logos from other sites to make themselves look real. Check company reviews or complaints or check with BBB.

A safe and fun way for a child to get a letter from Santa is through the free United States Postal Service’s 106-year-old “Letters from Santa” program.

“We receive requests for letters from Santa,” Denice Bina, lead clerk at the Marion post office, said. “We send them off and children get their own personalized letters back. Parents can rest assured their information is safe and secure.”

For letters going to the North Pole, the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, or Peabody Gazette-Bulletin is a child’s free connection to the big man in a red suit.

Children can dash through the snow to submit Santa letters for publishing.

To ensure a child’s letter is printed, all for the little ones’ Christmas joy, have it to the news office by Dec. 6.

Beware of scammers — they stink, stank, stunk.