Scammers use scare tactics by threatening you with jail time unless you pay them immediately with a gift card. If you receive a call demanding you must pay using a gift card, just hang up. No reputable company would ask for payment via a gift card. The seller could sell you a gift card that does indeed have the actual balance on it, but steal the numbers and start wiping the gift card clean after you receive it. If you purchase a gift card at an auction or on a third party website you may end up with a gift card that has no value, is expired, or was fraudulently obtained. Use caution when buying from a third party If you need to check a gift card balance, go to the site listed on the back of the card itself or, if there is none, go to the website of the company and look for a link to the gift card page. You may need to show proof of purchase and the ID number on the card.īBB has received a report on BBB Scam Tracker about a site that claims to help you check the balance on your gift card, but in reality the site steals your balance. Some issuers may not allow you to recover any of the funds, and some will, but for a fee. If you lose your gift card or someone steals it, it’s best to report it to the issuer immediately. Registering your gift card makes it easier to keep track of any misuse occurring, that way you can report it sooner and potentially end up saving the money that is stored.
#BBB GIFT CARD RESCUE FULL#
If the retailer allows the option to register your gift card, take full advantage. Some stores charge service or setup fees, or limit the gift card to in store only, meaning you can’t use it online. Some states have laws relevant to gift cards you can check with the office of the Attorney General in your state for more information. It’s best to double check the terms and conditions, the expiration date or any fees tied to the gift card before you decide to purchase one. Scammers are impatient and will usually put the gift card toward the front of the rack, so it’s best to grab a card from the back. Once the customer buys the card, the scammer uses the number online and wipes the gift card clean before the customer even has a chance to use it. They put the card back on the rack and wait until a customer purchases it. Scammers are known to remove gift cards from the store rack and record the numbers associated with that card. If anything looks suspicious it’s best to grab a new one.
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GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE - SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTīefore purchasing a gift card, be sure to give it a thorough look to make sure the PIN number isn’t exposed, or the packaging hasn’t been tampered with. The BBB offers up the following tips when purchasing a gift card this season. Scammers use multiple tactics to steal money off of gift cards without the cardholder even knowing,” writes the Better Business Bureau. “Gift cards are a notoriously popular item to give during the holidays, and scammers know this. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers to be aware of gift card scams.