Gift Card Shopping Tips
Most US consumers will purchase a gift card for someone this holiday season. While these gifts are easy to give and popular to get, they are also open to fraud. A 2021 AARP survey found that one in five people have either given or received a gift card with no funds on it.
Your best bet is to buy gift cards online directly from the issuer. Cards on store racks are easy prey for criminals, who can grab the cards, secretly record the numbers off the back and return the cards to the rack. Carefully inspect cards from the rack to look for signs the PIN has been exposed or manipulated.
And remember, if anyone asks you to pay a debt or obligation with a gift card, it’s a scam.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam or get help if you’ve fallen victim.
