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New gift card scam wipes cards before you can even give them, warns BBB
Here's exactly what you should do
![Good Housekeeping logo]()
Updated: 10:30 AM EST Dec 10, 2018
In some ways, a gift card is the perfect present because you know the recipient will use it to get something he or she really wants. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning of a gift card scam that may be grifting holiday shoppers out of their money this year.The scam is most likely to occur at retail locations where the gift cards are left out on racks unattended. A scammer can write down the card number and PIN. When the card is eventually purchased and activated, the scammer can then use the numbers they pilfered to wipe out the card balance before it's gifted. In addition, "BBB has received a report on BBB Scam Tracker about a site that claims to help you check the balance on your gift card, but in reality, the site steals your balance," the site notes. "If you need to check a gift card balance, go to the site listed on the back of the card itself or, if there is none, go to the website of the company and look for a link to the gift card page."To protect yourself from these grinches, the BBB recommends taking these steps:Grab your gift card from the back of the rack. Scammers are more likely to put the ones they tampered with near the front, where they're more likely to be purchased.Examine the packaging carefully. Make sure it hasn't been messed with, or that the PIN hasn't been exposed. If you can, register your gift card. Don't buy from a third party. Go directly to the store.Find out more information about this or other scams with the BBB Scam Tracker. For more tips on avoiding holiday scams, check out the related video above.
In some ways, a gift card is the perfect present because you know the recipient will use it to get something he or she really wants. But the that may be grifting holiday shoppers out of their money this year.
The scam is most likely to occur at retail locations where the gift cards are left out on racks unattended. A scammer can write down the card number and PIN. When the card is eventually purchased and activated, the scammer can then use the numbers they pilfered to wipe out the card balance before it's gifted.
In addition, "BBB has received a report on BBB Scam Tracker about a site that claims to help you check the balance on your gift card, but in reality, the site steals your balance," the site notes. "If you need to check a gift card balance, go to the site listed on the back of the card itself or, if there is none, go to the website of the company and look for a link to the gift card page."
To protect yourself from these grinches, the BBB recommends taking these steps:
- Grab your gift card from the back of the rack. Scammers are more likely to put the ones they tampered with near the front, where they're more likely to be purchased.
- Examine the packaging carefully. Make sure it hasn't been messed with, or that the PIN hasn't been exposed.
- If you can, register your gift card.
- Don't buy from a third party. Go directly to the store.
- Find out more information about this or other scams with the
For more tips on avoiding holiday scams, check out the related video above.
