New Law Takes Aim at Gift Card Scams

A new state law that took effect in September is aimed at educating Delaware consumers about gift card scams.

The law, sponsored by state Rep. Larry Lambert (D-Claymont) and backed by AARP, requires retailers that sell third-party gift cards to display notices alerting consumers to potential scams involving such cards. Americans reported losing nearly $217 million to gift card-related fraud in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

“Consumer awareness is the best prevention for this type of scam,” says Kim Wharton, AARP Delaware’s lead fraud staffer.

Some common tactics include thieves posing as tech support or government workers and then telling people they need to pay a fee via gift cards. “Anyone who tells you to pay with a gift card is a scammer,” the FTC warns. Learn more at ftc.gov/giftcards.