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Gift Card Scams: Protect Yourself This Holiday Season
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Gift Card Scams on the Rise: Protect Yourself This Holiday Season
This episode warns about the increasing prevalence of gift card scams during the holiday season. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert, highlighting two common tactics: gift card draining and barcode swapping. Scammers manipulate gift cards, often by scratching off codes or replacing barcodes, to redirect funds to their own accounts. To safeguard against these scams, always inspect gift card packaging for signs of tampering, purchase from secure locations, and regularly check card balances. If suspected, report to local law enforcement and contact the retailer.
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