There’s a new holiday shopping scam experts are warning people about.
Shopping experts are warning people this holiday season to be on the lookout for a scam known as “gift card draining.” The scam involves tricking shoppers into thinking they’re adding value to the gift card they’re purchasing, but in reality, the money is transferred to the scammer.
According to Nicole Cordero from the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas, scammers are manipulating the barcodes on the back of gift cards to steal money. Shoppers are being advised to look for any scuff marks on barcodes or security codes, as well as checking if the packaging is intact on the card to ensure that a scammer hasn’t tampered with it.
Another tip from experts is to purchase gift cards near the register or from behind the counter, and to regularly check the balances on the cards. If you suspect a gift card has been compromised, it’s important to immediately report it to the store where it was purchased and, if necessary, contact law enforcement.
A recent AARP survey found that nearly one in four people have given or received gift cards that had no funds on them. This new scam is a reminder to shoppers to be vigilant and cautious when buying gift cards as Christmas or holiday presents this year.