Gift cards have become a great way to give to others without the hassle or embarrassment of giving something that the recipient really cannot use or really doesn’t want. However, fraudsters have a way to steal from you with a gift card that you have purchased. And the only way you know something is wrong is when your beneficiary complains to you that there was no money on the gift card that you gave them.
Here is how the scam works. A crook will either jot down or swipe the account number of the card in the store. Then, over the few days or weeks, the crook can check the number over the phone to see if the card has been activated. When the card is activated the crook quickly goes on a shopping spree.
To discourage this type of activity, vendors have tried to design packaging that makes it difficult to tamper with the card. However, sometimes crooks do lift the information from the card anyway.
Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of having a gift card amount stolen,
·
Take a card from the middle of the rack. Often
card scammers will copy numbers from the front or the edges. After all, they do
not want to raise suspicions by being too obvious.
·
Check any packaging for signs of tampering. Some
card scammers are very good, so don’t be embarrassed to be picky about the card
that you choose. Also, many gift cards have PINs that are masked on the card. Be
sure to check the card to see if the masking has been scratched off.
·
Purchase the gift card online directly from the
vendor. Avoid online auction sites, since cards from these sources may be
counterfeit or obtained fraudulently.
·
Encourage your beneficiary to use the card as soon
as possible.
·
If the retailer offers, register the card. This
makes it easier to protect the balance.
If you do get scammed, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Better Business Bureau:
https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season
The Seattle Times:
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/buying-gift-cards-for-the-holidays-beware-of-this-new-scam/
Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant:
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
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