Versatile, easy and usually considered a “safe bet,” gift cards are among the most popular presents this time of year. The Better Business Bureau warns gift card recipients to be aware of some common scams targeting what’s yours.”All too often, folks don’t know that there’s something tampered with the card until it’s actually been given to the person who seeks to use it,” says Josh Planos with the BBB.If you’ve got a gift card, before activating it, make sure no scammer has manipulated the barcode.”They will…apply a sticker to the top of the barcode, they’ll tamper with the gift card in the store and that barcode will actually redirect funds to their bank account,” Planos said.The vast majority of fraud monitored by the BBB is digital, making it critical to be aware of electronic gift card scams. “$100 in currency for someone for only $50. Those are unrealistic,” Planos said.”There’s really no verification for these…these third-party sites that they are on.”The BBB says customer service typically sits top of mind for gift card distributors, meaning it’s not too late if a scammer has already struck.”The companies that offer gift cards have a customer service line. It’s always in your best interest to reach out and seek some sort of compensation or at least a replacement gift card before you throw it in the trash,” Planos said.Other gift card-related tips: Ensure there are no dents or chips in the packaging, call the provider number on the card’s fine print if you have a question and make a report to the BBB if you find something unusual.”You’re really helping nobody other than the scammer by staying quiet,” Planos said.Watch the video above for the full story.
Versatile, easy and usually considered a “safe bet,” gift cards are among the most popular presents this time of year. The Better Business Bureau warns gift card recipients to be aware of some common scams targeting what’s yours.
“All too often, folks don’t know that there’s something tampered with the card until it’s actually been given to the person who seeks to use it,” says Josh Planos with the BBB.
If you’ve got a gift card, before activating it, make sure no scammer has manipulated the barcode.
“They will…apply a sticker to the top of the barcode, they’ll tamper with the gift card in the store and that barcode will actually redirect funds to their bank account,” Planos said.
The vast majority of fraud monitored by the BBB is digital, making it critical to be aware of electronic gift card scams.
“$100 in currency for someone for only $50. Those are unrealistic,” Planos said.
“There’s really no verification for these…these third-party sites that they are on.”
The BBB says customer service typically sits top of mind for gift card distributors, meaning it’s not too late if a scammer has already struck.
“The companies that offer gift cards have a customer service line. It’s always in your best interest to reach out and seek some sort of compensation or at least a replacement gift card before you throw it in the trash,” Planos said.
Other gift card-related tips: Ensure there are no dents or chips in the packaging, call the provider number on the card’s fine print if you have a question and make a report to the BBB if you find something unusual.
“You’re really helping nobody other than the scammer by staying quiet,” Planos said.
Watch the video above for the full story.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
