Holiday gift card scams surge as officials warn shoppers to inspect cards carefully

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Gift cards are a popular choice for holiday giving, but officials are reminding shoppers to take extra steps to avoid scams. Authorities say buyers should always inspect physical gift cards before purchasing, ensuring the PIN is still fully concealed. If the protective film has been scratched off, scammers may have already copied the PIN and could drain the balance immediately after activation.

Investigators also warn shoppers to watch for fake bar codes placed over the real ones. If the phony code is scanned at checkout, the money is added to an account controlled by the scammer rather than the gift card you’re buying.

Officials say the safest option may be purchasing digital gift cards directly from reputable retailers online. They caution consumers to avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites, where compromised cards are more common.