How to avoid gift card scams during the season of giving
Sunday, December 19, 2021
New data shows an increase in gift cards being used to pay criminals in scams. Check out these expert tips to avoid gift card scams.
You might be buying a lot of gift cards this holiday season but have you ever been asked to pay with one? Here is a quick tip to avoid gift card scams during the season of giving.
New data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows that in 2021, nearly 40,000 consumers reported losing $148 million where gift cards were used to pay scammers
The FTC says:
Don't give away the gift card number: Gift card scammers ask you to pay by putting money on a gift card and giving them the numbers on the back of the card. Gift cards are like cash; once the money is used it's gone for good.Hang up or block suspicious callers: No real business or government agency will ever call and ask you to pay a bill or balance with a gift card.Don't act quickly: Scammers will try to pressure you into taking quick action. If a caller is trying to scare you into making payments using gift cards, it's best to take a breathe and hang up.And remember: Gift cards are only for gifts and merchandise, not paymentsCopyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
