WEBVTT SENIORS PROTECTED. THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BRING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE. THEY’RE GENEROUS THIS TIME OF YEAR. >> THEY WANT TO BUY GIFTS, THEY WANT TO SHOW AND EXPRESS THEIR CARE AND CONCERN FOR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SO THEY’RE OUT BUYING THINGS THEY WANT TO GET THE GREATEST DEAL AND THERE ARE PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT ALL THE TIME. TORI: IF AN UNKNOWN PERSON OR COMPANY SOLICITS YOUR BUSINESS, VET THEM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU BEFORE MAKING ANY PURCHASES. AND BE CAUTIOUS WHILE YOU’RE OUT DOING YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING. >> BE VIGILANT, LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER, MAKE SURE NO ONE IS WATCHING YOU. SOMEONE’S GOING TO FOLLOW YOU OR TAIL YOU TO TRY AND GET YOUR INFORMATION. DON’T MAKE ANY STRANGE PURCHASES EITHER. IF YOU’RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH SOMETHING, VET IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. TORI: SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS THIS TIME OF YEAR. SHRED ALL RECEIPTS WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER. NEVER GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD, BANKING OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO SOMEONE OVER THE PHONE UNLESS YOU INITIATED THE CALL. DON’T PAY FOR SERVICES IN ADVANCE. IF YOU DO FALL VICTIM TO A SCAM, >> CALL YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, YOUR PERSONAL BANKING YOUR CREDIT CARDS. MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS IT’S NOT YOU MAKING THOSE PURCHASES SO THEY CAN STOP THE CARD AND REISSUE A CARD. TORI: IF YOU GET A CALL FROM SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE THE BANK, THE IRS OR A RELATIVE ASKING FOR MONEY ASK FOR A CALL BACK NUMBER HANG UP AND DOUBLE CHECK WITH A LOVED ONE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND BY THE WAY THE IRS WILL NOT CALL YOU OR EMAIL YOU, THREATENING TO ARREST YOU. THAT SHOULD BE
New gift card scam wipes cards before you can even give them, warns BBB
Here's exactly what you should do
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Updated: 9:30 AM CST Dec 10, 2018
In some ways, a gift card is the perfect present because you know the recipient will use it to get something he or she really wants. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning of a gift card scam that may be grifting holiday shoppers out of their money this year.The scam is most likely to occur at retail locations where the gift cards are left out on racks unattended. A scammer can write down the card number and PIN. When the card is eventually purchased and activated, the scammer can then use the numbers they pilfered to wipe out the card balance before it's gifted. In addition, "BBB 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," the site notes. "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."To protect yourself from these grinches, the BBB recommends taking these steps:Grab your gift card from the back of the rack. Scammers are more likely to put the ones they tampered with near the front, where they're more likely to be purchased.Examine the packaging carefully. Make sure it hasn't been messed with, or that the PIN hasn't been exposed. If you can, register your gift card. Don't buy from a third party. Go directly to the store.Find out more information about this or other scams with the BBB Scam Tracker. For more tips on avoiding holiday scams, check out the related video above.
In some ways, a gift card is the perfect present because you know the recipient will use it to get something he or she really wants. But the that may be grifting holiday shoppers out of their money this year.
The scam is most likely to occur at retail locations where the gift cards are left out on racks unattended. A scammer can write down the card number and PIN. When the card is eventually purchased and activated, the scammer can then use the numbers they pilfered to wipe out the card balance before it's gifted.
In addition, "BBB 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," the site notes. "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."
To protect yourself from these grinches, the BBB recommends taking these steps:
- Grab your gift card from the back of the rack. Scammers are more likely to put the ones they tampered with near the front, where they're more likely to be purchased.
- Examine the packaging carefully. Make sure it hasn't been messed with, or that the PIN hasn't been exposed.
- If you can, register your gift card.
- Don't buy from a third party. Go directly to the store.
- Find out more information about this or other scams with the
For more tips on avoiding holiday scams, check out the related video above.
