Gift Card Scams - Be Careful how You Buy!

Scams and rip-offs seem to abound during the holiday season. One of the sneakiest ones I've heard is also the simplest and it involves the purchase of gift cards.

If you're a big fan of giving gift cards as I am, you must be doubly pleased that they're now showing up in your local grocery or drug store which means you're no longer stuck driving from one store to another to purchase your gift cards. It's hassle free and a great way to kill several gift-giving birds with one stone. But please be aware of this: Some rotten eggs are browsing the gift cards and making note of the card numbers and the toll free phone numbers on the backs of the cards (the ones you call to verify your balance, add funds, etc.). Then all they have to do is wait a bit 'til they think the card has sold and been activated, call the toll-free number to verify, and they're off on an internet shopping spree!

Some of the ways to help avoid becoming a victim of this scam:

1) Only purchase cards which also have a security access code hidden underneath that grey scratch-off stuff (like on a lottery ticket) or cards on which the card account number is not readily visible;

2) Purchase your gift cards only from stores which stock them behind the counter or in well-observed areas;

3) Don't purchase from the first gift cards in the display.

Of course none of the above suggestions is fool-proof but hopefully being aware of a scam such as this will allow you to become a more cautious and savvy consumer.

One additional tip regarding gift cards: Once you get home with your gift card be sure to call the toll free number on the card and double-check that your card has been activated and that it''s for the proper amount. Some smaller stores or those with new help/temporary help/seasonal help at their counters simply do not sell enough gift cards to allow them to become familiar with the activation process. Maybe I'm a little anal but I'd rather be sure it's correctly done immediately versus giving out a non-activated card then trying to take the card back to the point of purchase, find the receipt, etc., etc., not to mention sparing myself the embarassment involved.