Off-the-Rack Gift Cards Newest Scam Target
December 23rd, 2011. By AbiK
Desperate for a holiday gift? No clue what they want? That’s when that strategically placed rack of gift cards in whatever store you’re in is like manna from heaven. It’s a plastic mall at your fingertips: Starbuck’s! Macy’s! Bed, Bath & Beyond!—even Cracker Barrel! The teacher, in-laws, crossing guard, and third cousin once removed? Gotcha covered.
Ah, but now there’s a gift card scam that’s going ’round and these gift card displays are the perfect target. Gift card scammers simply scan or copy the account number that’s visible on the backs of most gift cards. Then they put the card back on the rack and wait for someone to purchase it and, therefore, activate it. Once the card is activated, it’s currency. And that’s when the scammer goes online and shops a go-go.
Of course, most gift cards have a PIN number as well on the back of the card. But unless that PIN is hidden behind the packaging, it can be difficult to tell at first that the card has been tampered with. If the gift card PIN is only hidden by a scratch-off coating, all the scammer has to do is scratch it off—and how often have you picked up a gift card in a hurry and not really looked closely at the back of it?
Here’s how to avoid getting gift card scammed yourself:
1. Save the receipt. As with any purchase, your receipt is your proof of purchase (and proof of rightful owner). Most stores will replace the purchased balance of a lost or stolen gift card–but you need that receipt.
2. Look closely at the back of the gift card. If the card is in anyway damaged, or the PIN has been revealed, don’t buy it.
3. Go for e-certificates. Many retailers now offer the option online to purchase email gift certificates. Most will also offer you the option to either email the gift certificate directly to the recipient, or print it out to deliver in person.
Bottom line is remember: what’s convenient for you is probably also convenient for a scammer. Buyer beware. And happy holidays everyone!
Find us on
Archive by Category
- Accidents (24)
- Airlines (9)
- Asbestos Mesothelioma (262)
- Automotive (25)
- Celebrity (14)
- Class Action (84)
- Complaints/Comments (15)
- Consumer Fraud (84)
- Contest (2)
- Court of Public Opinion (5)
- Crazy Sh*t Lawyers See (61)
- Criminal Law (4)
- Defective Products (111)
- DePuy ASR Hip Recall (2)
- Discrimination (22)
- Drugs/Medical (248)
- Elder Care Abuse (4)
- Emerging Issues (462)
- Employment (54)
- Environment (52)
- Financial (28)
- Food Illness (15)
- Human/Civil Rights (4)
- Insecurities (5)
- Insurance (16)
- Intellectual Property (16)
- Internet/E-commerce (19)
- lawsuits (161)
- Lawyers (20)
- Lawyers Giving Back (43)
- Lex Levity (10)
- Personal Injury (106)
- Pleading Ignorance (53)
- Real Estate (2)
- Recall (6)
- Scam (3)
- Securities (13)
- Settlement (81)
- Tort Reform (2)
- Totally Tortelicious (81)
- Veterans (11)
- Whistleblower (9)
I HAVE A GIFT CARD RACK FOR $50.00 DOLLAR WHAT CANT I GO O WHERE TO CALL O GO
I work for thechnical support of plastic card in a bank and the stuff you have described is clear for me. The security of plastic cards improve, but still you should be aware of what is going on with your card. The main problem with plastic cards is that many PS terminals can not identify bank emitent, in this case you may have hold amount, and have problems to get the sum back. But it’s technical issue, not scamers’ one.
target has a gift card scam that has been going on for years and they are not doing anything about it.
I bought 2 gift cards for my niece and her son’s birthdays.
Both for $50.00. One worked the other was a big fat $0. After taking the fraudulent card, finding my discover transaction that purchased the cards, all I got from Target management was we can’t do anything about it without a receipt. My husband had researched this issue on line and found that this has been happening for several years and this is their response. Yes, boycott Target. They are not after customer protection or satisfaction. Smoke and Mirrors