| If you watch the news or have an email-box, you've | | | | --- End Email --- |
| undoubtedly seen warnings about gift card scammers | | | | As it turns out, these email warnings are, in fact, true. |
| who are draining the value from gift cards that were | | | | Crooks CAN rob you of the money on a legitimate gift |
| displayed publicly in retail stores. Although these gift | | | | card that is purchased from the publicly-displayed rack |
| card scam warnings are widespread, this type of gift | | | | of a retail store. |
| card scam is currently quite rare. | | | | In fact, the National Retail Foundation recently |
| Gift card scams abound. Yet, it's the little-known gift | | | | confirmed this scam, and said: "Reports about a new |
| card scams that are actually the biggest threats. In | | | | gift card scam detailing how consumers could lose |
| fact, there are three little-known gift card scams | | | | money from gift cards if criminals steal the card |
| involving online action sites that pose a much bigger | | | | numbers from the back of the card are accurate but |
| risk to consumers. | | | | somewhat misleading." |
| We'll explain what these bigger threats are in a | | | | However, experts agree that there are three other gift |
| moment. But first, let's take a quick look at the email | | | | card scams that pose a much bigger danger this |
| warnings making the rounds: | | | | Christmas season: |
| --- Begin Email --- | | | | - Online auction websites where scammers offer |
| The crooks have found a way to rob you of your gift | | | | used, fraudulent and counterfeit gift cards for sale. |
| card balance. If you buy Gift Cards from a display | | | | - Online auction websites where scammers use stolen |
| rack that has various store cards you may become a | | | | credit cards to buy real gift cards they sell for cash. |
| victim of theft. | | | | - Websites (both online auction and other ecommerce |
| Crooks are now jotting down the card numbers in the | | | | and classified sites) where scammers overstate the |
| store and then wait a few days and call to see how | | | | value of authentic gift cards so that buyers get cards |
| much of a balance THEY have on the card. Once | | | | worth less than they expect. |
| they find the card is "activated," they go online and | | | | In other words, auction gift card scams now pose a |
| start shopping. | | | | much bigger threat than what you've been hearing on |
| You may want to purchase your card from a | | | | the news about gift cards displayed on public racks in |
| customer service person, where they do not have the | | | | stores. |
| Gift Cards viewable to the public. | | | | |