Authorities have issued a warning to shoppers about a gift card scam known as “card draining” that is becoming increasingly prevalent during the holiday season. As people rush to buy gifts for their loved ones, scammers have found a way to tamper with gift cards and steal the loaded money.
One recent incident involved a California man who was arrested for tampering with over 5,000 gift cards from popular retailers Target and Apple. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that this gift card scam extends beyond California and into other regions as well.
What makes this scam particularly dangerous is that victims often remain unaware of the tampering until it’s too late. Money is swiftly siphoned from the gift cards and transferred to offshore accounts, leaving the victims shocked and helpless.
To combat this widespread fraud, authorities are advising shoppers to exercise caution and pay close attention to any signs of tampering on gift cards. This can include broken or scratched packaging, and even loose or misaligned barcodes. Additionally, scammers have been known to replace gift cards with identical-looking ones to avoid detection.
In Pennsylvania, police are also investigating a number of gift card tampering incidents. The scam involves the manipulation of barcodes on gift cards, allowing scammers to steal the loaded funds. Furthermore, they have been found to slice away the activation code on sealed gift card envelopes, rendering them useless.
The Sheriff’s office suggests that shoppers avoid buying gift cards altogether if possible, as this is the most effective way to protect against falling victim to this scam. However, if gift cards are still the preferred choice, it is advised to purchase them directly from reputable retailers and inspect them carefully before making a purchase.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has also provided some tips to protect against this scam. They recommend purchasing gift cards from authorized sellers, not leaving them exposed in open areas, and promptly reporting any suspicious activity to the police.
As the holiday season approaches, it is important for consumers to remain vigilant against these gift card scams. By being cautious and following the provided guidelines, shoppers can help ensure a safe and secure gift-giving experience for their loved ones.
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