Beware of Gift Cards Scams As You Give the Perfect Gift For Father’s Day June 20, 2021
June 12, 2021
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – This is the season of giving. Whether it’s giving a wedding gift or a Father’s Day gift, it brings both the giver and the receiver a moment of joy. It’s being reported that the gift card market will exceed over $170 billion dollars this year alone. Those numbers will bring out the scammers.
The rise of long and short distance giving sometimes represents a challenge during this time of added concerns about health and safety. What to give is often the biggest challenge. Gift cards to the rescue!
In this age of scams and misrepresentations, we’re often concerned about the safety of gift card giving. One very important fact to remember is this … gift cards are safe to give.
Where’s the best place to get gift cards?
The question of how and where to get gift cards bring us to the point where we do not want to be a victim of a scam as we do something good for someone we care about. Phone scammers often tell their potential victims to buy a gift card for a certain amount and give them the code on the back when they “call you back.”
That’s the issue with gift cards. The code on the back allows scammers to call the phone number on the card and get the balance on the card using the code. Within seconds the money is gone and no product is delivered. As you can see it’s not the card itself, it’s the information on the card that needs to be protected.
First, always buy the card from a reputable store. Almost never will you want to buy a card from a person. They may have been a victim and may try to pass off a worthless card to you, an unsuspecting victim. Secondly, make sure of the amount in clearly on the front of the card.
How can I protect myself?
First, always look carefully on the back of the pouch containing the card before you purchase it and make sure it has not been tampered with.
Secondly, make sure the area on the back of the card has not been scratched off exposing the code.
Thirdly, if you have any doubt ask a store clerk or a manager (check the name tag) if it is a safe card to buy. If in doubt, purchase a different card, repeating this same procedure.
This is important because scammers will go into a store and scratch off the protected cover exposing the code, write it down, and place the card back on shelf.
With the code in their possession, the scammer can call the number on the card often to check on the balance. Once the card shows cash, they take the money in seconds. When the person you send the card to tries to use it, they will find the money is gone. The card is worthless.
Gift cards are safe. However, beware of gift cards scams as you give the perfect gift for Father’s Day, a wedding gift, a thank you gift, or any gift.
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For more information on local responses to the novel coronavirus also called … COVID-19, contact your local healthcare provider, visit coronavirus.gov or visit cdc.gov for the United States response to the coronavirus.
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Written by
AGN.News Team
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