Protect Yourself from Gift Card Draining Scams this Holiday Season

Shoppers are being warned about a scam called "gift card draining" that is prevalent during the holiday season. Scammers are tampering with gift cards by placing different barcodes on top of the original ones, diverting the money to themselves. To protect against this, shoppers should check for intact packaging, scuff marks on barcodes or security codes, and stickers on the back of the gift card. Experts recommend purchasing gift cards near the register or from behind the counter and regularly checking balances. The Better Business Bureau's website can be visited to track scams, report them, and warn others.