NBC 5 Responds investigates how to avoid purchasing tampered gift cards and losing your money. Authorities offer tips on spotting potentially compromised cards.
NBC 5 Responds tracked consumer complaints about vanishing gift card balances. Consumers reported someone else was able to empty the card before the gift could be used. In June, we told you Burleson Police arrested two people, accused of putting tampered gift cards on North Texas store shelves. This holiday season, we went back to Burleson and asked the police to go shopping with us to show us what they would look for to avoid a tampered card.
To ensure every penny gets to your intended recipient, Burleson Police said shoppers can look for subtle signs someone else got into a gift card package before buying it. “Use the light to take a look and see the quality control,” said Burleson Police’s Collin Gregory. “There shouldn’t be anything that is torn, there shouldn’t be anything that’s bent, you shouldn’t see anything that looks wavy. It should just be nice and flat.” Throughout the year, NBC 5 Responds has told you about suspected gift card draining schemes. Law enforcement explained that’s when criminals take new gift cards before they’re sold and steal information like card numbers and security codes off the cards. Crooks then put tampered cards back on store racks. When an unsuspecting consumer activates a compromised card, criminals can drain the balance remotely. Leaving some consumers with worthless cards. Law enforcement said organized criminal networks are often behind tampering and gift card draining is not limited to one store, brand, city or even state. “We have this packaging right here. It’s already telling you important instructions. If anything looks wrong, don’t purchase it,” said Officer Jay Davis of the Burleson Police Department. Davis pointed out what was right about the cards he picked up, “The tear away still looks like it’s sealed here. The card on the inside of this packaging appears to be lined up and it doesn’t appear that this card is bubbled at all.” Gift cards should look like they’re fresh out of the factory, said BP
GIFT CARDS SCAMS SECURITY CONSUMER PROTECTION HOLIDAY SHOPPING
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