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‘Tis the season for gift cards — and that means it’s a good time to be on the watch for gift card scams.
You can bet that scammers are going to be extra busy this holiday season trying to separate people from their money.
In this article, I’ll show you how to spot a gift card scam and tell you about the most common scams out there. I’ll also offer some tips on how to use gift cards safely.
Criminals have found several ways to manipulate gift cards — and the people who use them. To spot a gift card scam, you need to be aware of the condition of the card itself, but also your own behavior when using the cards.
You see gift card kiosks in many big stores these days. Since anyone can pull a card off the rack, be extra careful when choosing one. Examine the gift card and its packaging to make sure it hasn’t been opened or tampered with.
If you can see the back of the card without opening the package, check to make sure the foil hasn’t already been scratched off.
One of the most common red flags is another person asking you to use a gift card in a way you usually wouldn’t.
These crooks often pose as:
Once you’ve purchased the gift card, the crook will typically ask you for the PIN on the back. If you give it to them, they’ll access the money and leave you without any of it.
But there are other ways. Be leery if:
Lori Silverman, who manages Clark’s Consumer Action Center, says they receive plenty of calls about gift card scams.
Although this is by no means an exhaustive list, Team Clark has written about gift card scams featuring the following retailers:
If you choose to buy and use gift cards, here are some safe ways to do it:
The FTC says on its website:
“Gift cards are for gifts. Only gifts. Not for payments. Never buy a gift card because someone tells you to buy one and give them the numbers.”
Remember, if someone you don’t know calls you asking for money, do not send it — even if you think it could be someone you know. Always hang up and call them back directly to confirm their identity.
You can report gift card scams by contacting the card issuer. This FTC article contains a list of companies.
You can also report the gift card scam to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
This post was last modified on December 12, 2023 1:16 pm
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