Gift Card-jacking. (latest "crime)

[Kimberle]

Our news this am said this is a new "crime". So beware.

The "thief", will write down the gift card number(s) on the back of a gift card(s). Many stores display the cards for anybody to grab. They wait a few days or week, then call to see how much money is on the card (after it's sold and loaded). They go cyber-shopping and have the stuff shipped. When the person who received the card tries to use it, it's gone.

Since nearly all cards have a little disclaimer on the back "Merchant is not responsible for lost or stolen cards", and the cards are generally not tracked when sold. The purchaser has little to no recourse.

So, if you're buying a gift card, make sure to get one that's been kept behind the register.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I have not heard of this, but thanks for the idea! Now I can get my DD that Ninendo DS she has been asking for.










disclaimer:
This post contains sarcasm. I do not condone, endorse or approve of theft in any way, shape or form.

 

[RitaZ.]

As if we didn't have enough to worry about with credit card fraud. Now we have to worry about gift cards?

 

[momrek06]

YIKES!!! I just spent a fortune on the WAL-MART ones with their matching Xmas Card for relatives!!! Wal-Mart and allot of stores do NOT keep them behind any counters!

 

[disneypharm]

I just read about this. It seems to be a ligitimate scam. I am bumping this for others to read.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Don't the cards have the silver area you have to scratch off to get the number--I'm pretty sure Walmart does--I think if you got the ones with the silver still intact it would be ok?

 

[MsLeFever]

Don't the cards have the silver area you have to scratch off to get the number--I'm pretty sure Walmart does--I think if you got the ones with the silver still intact it would be ok?

The Walmart cards do have the scratch off areas - as long as they are intact nobody can "steal" it.

 

[NewJersey]

I have not heard of this, but thanks for the idea! Now I can get my DD that Ninendo DS she has been asking for.










disclaimer:
This post contains sarcasm. I do not condone, endorse or approve of theft in any way, shape or form.

Too bad Disney doesn't sell gift cards to use to pay for vacations!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Don't the cards have the silver area you have to scratch off to get the number--I'm pretty sure Walmart does--I think if you got the ones with the silver still intact it would be ok?

Yes, almost all cards started doing that a long time ago, for the reasons the OP mentions.

 

[maciec]

And in order to use it on line at many places you have to rub off that silver area to get the code underneath

 

[aprilgail2]

I checked the stack of them I have bought for Christmas gifts and not one has a silver scratch off thing int he back. I have yet to see any around here that have that feature other than phone cards.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Too bad Disney doesn't sell gift cards to use to pay for vacations!

Actually, the Disney Gift Cards are now accepted on the Disney website as payment for vacations, and at the resort front desk upon check-out. I'm just sayin'.


In all seriousness though, I do see how this could be a problem and I had never heard of it before this thread. Don't a lot of stores keep gift cards behind the counter? I'm sure even at WalMart, Target and other stores that keep them out, there has to be a supply somewhere that is not out in the open.

 

[Aidensmom]

Actually, the Disney Gift Cards are now accepted on the Disney website as payment for vacations, and at the resort front desk upon check-out. I'm just sayin'.


In all seriousness though, I do see how this could be a problem and I had never heard of it before this thread. Don't a lot of stores keep gift cards behind the counter? I'm sure even at WalMart, Target and other stores that keep them out, there has to be a supply somewhere that is not out in the open.

I have asked a cashier at Walmart for one when I forgot to pick one up before getting in line to pay, and they had them behind the counter. That was a couple of years ago though.

 

[mandy200587]

Usually during the holidays they keep them at the counter, they did last year at least.

 

[daisyduck123]

I checked the stack of them I have bought for Christmas gifts and not one has a silver scratch off thing int he back. I have yet to see any around here that have that feature other than phone cards.

I'm with aprilgail2.....

I am a teacher (I get LOTS of giftcards) & I've never received any giftcards with a "scratchoff" area.

 

[miss missy]

Don't the cards have the silver area you have to scratch off to get the number--I'm pretty sure Walmart does--I think if you got the ones with the silver still intact it would be ok?

This should be standard these days!

 

[mandy200587]

Okay went to walmart and they do still have them by the register. Just got to ask for them.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I just went and checked all my GC I purchased and they all have the scratch off PIN codes.

they include:
Build A Bear
Kohls
and Disney

 

[M 'n C]

I read this on another board last week and was going to post it over here. I think the stores you have to really watch for is walgreens and other stores which sell random gift cards to so many different places since they are on the shelves and anyone can easily go into the aisles with them and write the numbers down.

 

[meloneyb21]

I read this on another board last week and was going to post it over here. I think the stores you have to really watch for is walgreens and other stores which sell random gift cards to so many different places since they are on the shelves and anyone can easily go into the aisles with them and write the numbers down.

So true. My local CVS and ShopRite both have giftcards for Barnes & Noble, Red Lobster, Gap, Old Navy, Home Depot, Olive Garden, and even Macy's, all with balances already on them. At my ShopRite, the cards are just sitting on a rack in the middle of the floor by the customer service area....and they are always a mess and just thrown around.

I actually bought one before at ShopRite but was able to go into the bathroom with it, undetected, before I even paid for it. I could have easily just wrote down the info and saved me some money.