NBC 5 Responds investigated consumer complaints about disappearing gift card balances and partnered with Burleson Police to teach shoppers how to spot tampered cards.
NBC 5 Responds investigated consumer complaints about disappearing gift card balances. Shoppers reported that someone else had used the card before they could. In June, we reported that Burleson Police arrested two people accused of placing tampered gift cards on store shelves in North Texas. This holiday season, we returned to Burleson and asked the police to shop with us to demonstrate what they look for to avoid a tampered card.
To ensure every penny reaches the intended recipient, Burleson Police said shoppers can look for subtle signs that someone else accessed 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 reported on suspected gift card draining schemes. Law enforcement explained that’s when criminals take new gift cards before they are 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
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