Avast ye mateys! Beware o' these 5 foul gift card tricks aimin' to plunder ye this holiday season!
2023-12-03
Arr, me hearties, be wary o' them gift cards this jolly season! The scurvy dogs at the Better Business Bureau be spyin' a rise in the treachery o' gift card fraud. Ye better keep yer wits about ye, or ye'll be walkin' the plank!
Gift cards have become a popular way to give gifts during the holiday season, but they also attract scammers who are looking to steal money or personal information. The Better Business Bureau has reported a 50% increase in gift card fraud compared to last year. So, what are the tricks that scammers are using and how can you avoid them?One common trick involves tampering with gift cards on display racks in retail stores. Scammers record the activation code or place a custom bar code sticker over the real one, allowing them to load the cash onto their own card after you purchase it. To avoid this, check the packaging for signs of tampering and choose a card from the back of the rack.
Another trick involves impersonating someone you know or trust, such as a family member or a company. Scammers contact you through phone, text, email, or social media and create a fake story that requires you to send them money via gift cards. Never send money or gift cards to anyone you don't know personally and verify their identity through a different channel.
Buying or selling gift cards online can also be risky. Scammers may send you fake or empty gift cards or use stolen credit cards to buy them. Stick to reputable sources and avoid deals that sound too good to be true.
Phishing is another popular trick, where scammers send messages that appear to be from legitimate companies and ask you to click on links or provide gift card information. Never click on unsolicited messages or provide personal or financial information to unexpected contacts.
Finally, scammers may pretend to be representatives of loyalty programs and ask you to pay fees or taxes with gift cards. Be wary of unsolicited offers and don't provide any personal or financial information.
To safely give and receive gift cards, be cautious and follow these tips. If you become a victim of a gift card scam, change your passwords, review your bank statements, use an identity theft protection service, report the breach, and seek professional advice.
Gift card scams are a serious problem, but by staying vigilant, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.