Gift Card Warning

Gift card scams are rampant. I no longer buy gift cards that are not locked. In the past, gift cards with zero balances were possible because they were not activated properly. Now it’s likely the card was drained before you could use it.

Scammers break into gift card packaging while the cards are still on the store rack. They steal the card number and any PIN information they might need, and then repackage the card. They upload these numbers into their computers, and scammer software alerts them when a card is activated. Then it’s usually used by the scammer within minutes. 

• Avoid kiosks where it’s easy for a scammer to tamper with hundreds of cards.

• Buy cards that are locked up or behind the cashier.

• Buy gift cards directly from the retailer’s online site shipped to you. However, there is the old threat of having your mailed gift card lost or stolen

• Better yet, send a gift card electronically through email.