Beware of Gift Card Scams: Protect Your Holiday Funds

Law enforcement officials are warning holiday shoppers about the increasing trend of gift card theft, with criminals stealing funds by tampering with gift cards and replacing their barcodes. The stolen gift cards are then used by unsuspecting victims, who load money onto them, only to have the funds transferred to offshore accounts within seconds. Recent arrests have revealed that the stolen money is often sent to Chinese bank accounts. Experts advise shoppers to be cautious when purchasing gift cards, examining them closely for signs of tampering, and considering alternative payment methods such as cash or online purchases.