Gift Card Scams: How to Avoid Them and Protect Yourself

THEY STEAL THE CARD’S VALUE. Criminals have developed ways to drain the cash from gift cards you buy. Not surprisingly, these scams spike around the holidays. Thieves go to stores and

surreptitiously scratch off the film strip on the back to get the PIN, which they cover back up with easy-to-obtain replacement stickers. Or they steal the balance of your gift card

remotely. Using malicious software, they can automate the hunt for cards and their balances. Once found, the thieves snatch the value, leaving you with an empty card. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

FROM THIS SCAM MIND WHERE YOU BUY. When buying cards, you plan to use yourself or give as presents, purchase them directly from the business that issued them. If you buy online, “Don't

purchase it from a company that says ‘we specialize in digital gift cards.’ …  Right now, it's too hard to tell which ones aren't legitimate,” says Pitt. DOUBLECHECK THE VALUE.

lt’s always a good idea to check that the funds are there before leaving the store, says McGovern. And if you are buying several gift cards during the holiday season, “Make sure each and

every one is scanned at the register,” says McGovern. And if you receive one, “Don’t let it sit. Treat it like cash." KEEP THE RECEIPT. “Hang on to that receipt any kind of

documentation in case something does go wrong,” says McGovern. AVOID THE RACKS. Cards on store racks can be tampered with and spotting which one’s have been opened and had their value stolen

isn’t always easy. “Criminals are getting really good at making sure you can't tell if the package has been tampered with,” says Pitt. It’s safest to buy from places that keep gift

cards behind the counter, says McGovern. DON’T PAY VIA GIFT CARDS. Pitt suggests offering a different payment method if someone asks for payment via gift card, “Something like credit card …

that can easily be tracked or refunded. If they say, no, it's a scam.” PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. Be careful not to share bank account numbers or social security with anyone in

exchange for a gift card. HOW TO REPORT PROBLEMS Immediately CONTACT THE RETAILER that issued a gift card you used to pay a suspected scammer. If money remains on the card, you might be able

to get it back. You often will find contact information on the card. REPORT THE THEFT to local law enforcement, as well as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and your state's

attorney general. The more information authorities have, the better they can identify patterns, link cases and ultimately catch the criminals.   CALL THE FREE AARP FRAUD WATCH NETWORK

HELPLINE (877-908-3360) to speak with trained specialists who can provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also

offers online group support sessions for those who have been a victim of a scam. _This story, originally published in 2021, has been updated with advice from experts._