Greg's Corner

State warns of gift card scam

By Greg Collier

Police in New Hampshire are raising the alarm about a sophisticated gift card scam that’s preying on consumers nationwide. This crime is executed with remarkable efficiency, making it difficult for victims to detect until it’s too late.

The scam begins in retail stores, where suspects remove hundreds of gift cards from shelves. These cards are then mailed to other conspirators, who meticulously open them to access the information inside. Once this information is documented, the cards are sent back to other conspirators who discreetly return them to store shelves, making them appear untouched.

This sets a trap for unsuspecting shoppers. As soon as funds are added to these gift cards, the scammers, who monitor the cards closely, immediately spend the money. This leaves the consumer with a worthless gift card and an unpleasant surprise.

During an investigation, police detectives discovered over $100,000 worth of Apple products in a New Hampshire, apartment. These items are believed to have been purchased using information from the stolen gift cards. Gift cared scammers then sell the products, making themselves a substantial profit.

This scam is not limited to New Hampshire. It is part of a larger, nationwide problem. New Hampshire’s tax-free status makes it an especially attractive target for scammers.

To protect yourself from gift card scams, always inspect the back of the card for signs of tampering. It’s a good idea to take a handful of cards from the rack and compare their markings. Scammers often place tampered cards at the front, so consider choosing one from the middle of the pack instead. When purchasing gift cards, use a credit card whenever possible, as it offers better protection against loss compared to cash or a debit card. If you find that a card you received has been emptied, try contacting the customer service number on the back of the card. While recovering the money or getting a refund may be difficult, it’s worth seeking assistance from customer service.